SpaceX再促FCC取消农村宽带补贴 称星链已使补贴过时

SpaceX is continuing to pursue its case with the FCC that the proliferation of low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellite service renders rural broadband subsidies obsolete, while depicting the opposing arguments of "subsidy-dependent incumbents" as "unfounded" and "implausible." The company's most recent remarks on the matter came in the form of reply comments to the FCC's proceeding on modernizing High-Cost, a program operated under the Universal Service Fund (USF) that helps subsidize telecom network deployment and maintenance in rural areas. Initial comments were due on August 4, with reply comments due September 3. SpaceX had previously filed initial comments on the High-Cost modernization proceeding in August, urging the FCC to "wind down and sunset" the funds, saying they have "outlived their purpose" in an era of ubiquitous LEO access. The idea that the widespread availability of satellite service should render High-Cost obsolete was not well received by industry groups representing terrestrial service providers in rural communities, which broadly argued that LEO operators cannot meet the universal service standards set out in Section 254 of the Telecommunications Act. Groups like NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association and USTelecom pointed to satellite's inconsistent performance, lack of voice services and fiber broadband's long-term superiority. Related:SpaceX to FCC: Starlink makes rural subsidies obsolete 'Unfounded' Taking aim at those and similar arguments, SpaceX in its reply comments this month lashed out at "subsidy-dependent incumbents" for their claims. "Subsidy-dependent incumbents, apparently regarding this success as a threat, seek to manufacture complexity, delay action, and preserve an outdated corporate-welfare program. These incumbents' rehashed attacks on alternative technologies like satellite broadband are unfounded and grow more implausible as these new technologies continue to scale," said SpaceX in its September 3 filing. In addition to arguing that the "Commission's own data confirms that unsubsidized high-speed residential broadband is now effectively universally available," SpaceX also pointed to the general availability of voice services and the FCC's support of tech-neutral policies as reason to support its view that the fund should end. "Voice service, another purported justification for retaining costly subsidies, is now a commoditized offering available to every American with a broadband connection via mobile and interconnected V…