SpaceX is expected to cover 35 locations with the subsidy it receives over the next 10 years. In order to secure funds, a set of conditions must also be met, e.g. TechCrunch Explain, including proving that it can provide broadband services at a corresponding price to those areas with terrestrial broadband inings ferings. At the moment, Starlink beta testers will have to pay $ 99 per month for the service, including the $ 499 advance costs required for its hardware kit. In addition, SpaceX will have to comply with “periodic buildout requirements” in those 35 locations in order to gain access to FCC funding.
Overall, the winning bidders are receiving 9. 9.2 billion out of the 16 16 billion the FCC has set aside for the Phase 1 auction. The remaining amount will be rolled out to Phase 2, which will partially cover the serving areas and now has a budget of 11.2 billion.
FCC President Ajit Paye said in a statement:
“I am thrilled with the incredible success of this auction, which brings welcome news to millions of unrelated rural Americans who have long been on the wrong side of the digital divide. They now stand to gain access to high speed, high-quality broadband services. We’ve created this innovative and groundbreaking auction to stay technically neutral and prioritize bids for high-speed, low-latency ing furings. We aim for the maximum benefit of taxpayer dollars and for networks that meet the growing broadband needs of customers and the results show that our strategy is working. The auction was the single largest step taken to bridge the digital divide and is another key success for the commission in its ongoing commitment to universal service. I thank our staff for working so hard and for so long to conduct this auction on time, especially during an epidemic. ”
