Starlink to join Affordable Connectivity Program, says SpaceX’s Satellite Policy VP

SpaceX could file a nomination for Starlink satellite internet to join the Affordable Connectivity Fund Subsidy Program.

“We’re eligible for it, and we are planning on participating. We haven’t turned it on yet” said David Goldman, Vice President of Satellite Policy for SpaceX in a podcast hosted by Broadband Breakfast.

The Affordable Connectivity Program referred to as ACP is initiated and administered by the Federal Communication Commission (FCC). It focuses on making broadband internet more affordable for low-income households.

Starlink offers unlimited data at $120 a month and the device costs $599. The ACP provides up to $30 off on broadband services and some offers increase discounts up to $75 per month for households located on qualifying Tribal lands.

Goldman mentioned that the new Starlink satellites provide faster internet connection than the earliest versions, thus producing “urban-quality” broadband speed.

He further said that Starlink is available around all 50 states in the US and already running better than before. As for now, the service is hosting over 2 million users globally.

Back in October, the Biden administration submitted a formal request to Congress for nearly $56 billion in supplemental funding including $6 billion for the ACP program.

The program, which provides a monthly broadband subsidy for over 21 million households may run out of funding by April 2024. This would require service providers to start issuing termination notices by the end of the year.