Bernie Moreno Questions Commerce Nominee on Starlink for Rural Broadband Access

Broadband Investment and Coordination

• 💡 NTIA's broadband investments must avoid duplicating funding from the dozens of other federal programs, a goal that requires significant coordination.
• 🎯 The nominee acknowledges the importance of coordination and expresses a willingness to work with Senator Moreno's office on this issue if confirmed.

World Radio Conference and Global Positioning

• 🌍 The upcoming 2027 World Radio Communication Conference is a critical event where unified positions must be developed promptly.
• ⚠️ Failure to establish these positions could allow adversaries, such as China, to lead discussions, potentially disadvantaging American equipment makers and manufacturers.

Starlink and Rural Broadband Solutions

• 🚀 Technologies like Starlink are rapidly expanding, offering a less expensive alternative to fiber optic cables for connecting rural areas.
• 💰 A $200 Starlink receiver is significantly cheaper than a $2 million fiber cable, enabling lower-cost and faster development times for broadband expansion.
• 📡 NTIA's strategy should incorporate non-traditional, low Earth orbit satellite-based solutions for hard-to-reach areas.
• 🗺️ The nominee supports a technology-neutral approach to broadband programs, recognizing that diverse geographic areas require varied solutions.

Engaging Private Industry for Deployment

• 🤝 NTIA plans to increase engagement with private industry, including competitive carriers and non-traditional providers, to meet broadband deployment goals more efficiently.
• ✅ An all-of-the-above solution is necessary to connect every last American, emphasizing collaboration to achieve this goal.