Broadband Grants Paused as Critics Allege Favoritism Toward Elon Musk’s Starlink
The hold affects more than $3 billion in federal broadband funds as lawmakers investigate award rules and alleged favoritism toward Starlink.
- The Texas Broadband Development Office placed an indefinite hold on all federal Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment disbursements effective Monday, following allegations of favoritism toward low-Earth orbit providers like Starlink.
- According to BDO director Bryant Clayton, a rule change favoring low-Earth orbit providers was a directive from Gov. Greg Abbott's office issued days before awards, allowing 10% of grant money upfront for Starlink.
- Sen. Charles Schwertner, overseeing the review, emphasized the committee intends to ensure transparency regarding the distribution of more than $3 billion in funding. Gov. Dan Patrick and House Speaker Dustin Burrows requested a performance audit of the BDO.
- Responding to allegations, Kelly Hancock accused Amazon of "aggressively" lobbying state legislators, suggesting the dispute reflects broader corporate competition beyond the Starlink controversy.
- Legislative action to resolve the audit and determine the future of federal broadband funding will occur during the session beginning in January, setting a critical window for Texas.
21 Articles
21 Articles
Associated Press News
Broadband grants paused as critics allege favoritism toward Elon Musk’s Starlink
The Texas Broadband Development Office placed a temporary hold Tuesday on all disbursements of billions of dollars in federal funds related to the Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment program, or BEAD.
Texas Pauses BEAD Spending Over Starlink Favoritism Allegations
The Texas Broadband Development Office has temporarily suspended disbursement of BEAD funds after state lawmakers began investigating reports that Starlink benefited from favoritism within the office, The Texas Tribune reported Wednesday. Starlink was awarded more than $108 million out of...
Texas Broadband Development Office halts BEAD disbursements - Broadband Communities
News A temporary hold has been placed on all disbursements of BEAD dollars by the Texas Broadband Development Office, the AP is reporting. By Brad Randall, Broadband Communities A reason was not given for a new hold on funding disbursements, placed by the Texas Broadband Development Office on billions of dollars in federal funding intended for the state’s broadband buildout, the AP reported August 12. The hold, which has been placed until Monday…
Texas Puts BEAD Funding on Hold Over Allegations of Favoritism to Starlink
💡■ Conservative Groups Push FCC to Leave Big Four/Local TV Station Deals Alone■ NBC News: Amazon LEO Years Behind Schedule … and Starlink■ MoffettNathanson: Starlink Mobile Has Many Hurdles to Clear Before Posing a Threat to Incumbents■ Analyst Entner Sees Starlink Ending up with Grain’s 800 MHz Spectrum■ Entravision CEO: Latino Viewers Will Decide Key House, Senate Races■ Federal Lab in Illinois Finds Way to Slash AI Energy Needs, But Can it S…
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 56% of the sources are Center
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
