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Trump Broadband Nominee Denies Favoritism Toward Elon Musk’s Starlink

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Arielle Roth, President Donald Trump’s nominee to lead the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), firmly rejected claims on Thursday that she would steer a $42 billion broadband expansion program in favor of Elon Musk’s satellite internet firm, Starlink.

During a Senate confirmation hearing, Roth stated, “I will administer the program to the benefit of the American people, not any single individual or company,” amid Democratic concerns that Trump allies could direct a large share of funds toward Musk, a close adviser to the president.

Concerns Over Program Priorities
The broadband initiative, created under the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, prioritizes fiber-optic technology, widely regarded as more cost-effective and capable of delivering faster speeds than satellite internet. However, Democrats fear the Trump administration may shift that priority to favor Starlink, potentially giving Musk up to $20 billion in funding.

Senator Ed Markey (D-MA) criticized any such move:

“I strongly urge you to oppose this giveaway to Elon Musk,” he said, emphasizing the law’s fiber-first intent.

While the program does not ban satellite services, it restricts their use to areas where fiber installation would be excessively costly.

Republican Pushback
Republicans, meanwhile, argue the Biden administration politicized the program by moving too slowly and allegedly blacklisting Musk. Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) pointed to delays in approvals and called for a more tech-neutral approach.
Only three states have had their proposals approved, and just four have finalized provider selections. Thirty more are still reviewing applications.

Shift Toward Tech-Neutral Strategy
Earlier this month, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick announced a review aimed at ensuring the program supports the most cost-efficient broadband solutions—whether fiber, satellite, or other technologies.

“We want an outcome-driven, tech-neutral approach that prioritizes getting the most Americans connected at the lowest cost,” Lutnick said.

Stakes for Rural America
The NTIA’s Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program is one of the largest government efforts to close the digital divide in rural America. As debates continue over technology preferences and political influences, Roth’s confirmation could play a pivotal role in the program’s direction during Trump’s second term.

Bangladesh to Secure Starlink Deal for Nationwide Internet Access

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Bangladesh’s interim leader, Muhammad Yunus, announced on Tuesday that the country expects to finalize a commercial agreement with SpaceX’s satellite internet network, Starlink, within three months. The deal aims to provide reliable, uninterrupted internet services across the South Asian nation, ensuring that future political upheavals will not disrupt access.

Yunus, who took charge of Bangladesh’s government in August following the ouster of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, highlighted that Starlink’s satellite-based technology would make it impossible for any government to block internet access or restrict citizens from the digital world. This comes after widespread protests in July 2024, during which authorities suspended internet and text messaging services across the country.

“If Starlink is launched, no government will have the ability to shut down internet access or lock citizens out of the digital world,” Yunus stated in a televised speech ahead of Independence Day. He also noted that inflation remains the government’s top challenge, though it had dropped to 9.32% in February, the lowest in 22 months, with hopes of reducing it below 8% by June.

Yunus confirmed that national elections will be held between December 2025 and June 2026, aiming for the most free, fair, and acceptable election in Bangladesh’s history.

SpaceX Falcon 9 Deploys 23 Starlink Satellites, Achieves New Booster Reusability Milestone

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On January 24, 2025, SpaceX successfully launched 23 Starlink satellites into orbit, marking its 11th Falcon 9 mission of the year. The rocket lifted off from Vandenberg Space Force Base at 9:07 a.m. EST, delivering its payload to low Earth orbit. Following stage separation, the Falcon 9’s first-stage booster executed a precise landing on the drone ship Of Course I Still Love You in the Pacific Ocean. This achievement marks the 401st successful recovery of an orbital-class booster, further solidifying SpaceX’s dominance in reusable rocket technology.

Falcon 9 Booster Achieves 23rd Flight

According to SpaceX, the booster supporting this mission completed its 23rd successful launch and landing, setting a new record for Falcon 9 reusability. Of its previous missions, 14 were dedicated to Starlink deployments. The rocket’s upper stage deployed the satellites approximately 64 minutes after liftoff, further advancing SpaceX’s efforts in cost-efficient spaceflight. This milestone underscores the company’s ongoing refinement of booster reuse, a crucial factor in reducing launch costs and increasing mission frequency.

Starlink’s Ever-Growing Satellite Constellation

With this latest deployment, the Starlink constellation continues its rapid expansion. This mission represents the seventh Starlink launch of 2025, pushing the total number of operational satellites beyond 6,900. Astrophysicist and satellite tracker Jonathan McDowell noted that SpaceX’s ongoing launches are enabling faster global coverage, bringing high-speed internet access to underserved regions worldwide.

Paving the Way for Future Missions

As SpaceX scales up its Starlink network, the company remains focused on increasing satellite capabilities and launch efficiency. Future missions are expected to incorporate advanced satellite models with enhanced connectivity and inter-satellite communication. With Falcon 9’s continued reusability improvements, SpaceX is paving the way for even more ambitious spaceflight endeavors, including upcoming crewed missions and deep-space exploration.