The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has reportedly instructed employees to secure tens of millions of dollars to potentially fund a deal with Starlink. This development follows speculation that the FAA may be considering terminating its existing $2.4 billion contract with Verizon, aimed at modernizing U.S. airspace management systems.
Anonymous sources revealed that FAA officials conveyed these orders verbally, which is considered an unusual approach. The agency has not publicly confirmed whether it has officially abandoned its contract with Verizon in favor of Starlink.
Elon Musk highlighted the urgency of the situation regarding air traffic control communications, stating that the current system is deteriorating rapidly. Musk also indicated that Starlink terminals would be provided at no cost to taxpayers as part of an emergency response to restore connectivity.
Bloomberg reported that approximately 4,000 Starlink terminals are being dispatched to assist in upgrading the FAA’s networks, a claim that the FAA has acknowledged. Despite this, the FAA reiterated that it has not finalized any decisions regarding its contract with Verizon.
Recent layoffs affecting the FAA, attributed to Musk’s initiatives, have also raised concerns. Hundreds of FAA employees were let go in February, adding another layer of complexity to the agency’s current situation.
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