Officials at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) have directed staff to seek significant funding for a potential deal with Starlink, aiming to upgrade air traffic control communications. This development could impact an existing $2.4 billion contract that Verizon holds with the U.S. government.
Reports indicate that discussions regarding the Starlink deal have occurred primarily through verbal communications, a departure from standard practices for such agreements. Sources suggest that this method may be an attempt to avoid creating a formal paper trail.
It’s currently unclear if the Verizon contract has officially ended or if any agreement with Starlink has been finalized. Starlink, a subsidiary of SpaceX, is owned by Elon Musk.
Concerns have been raised about potential conflicts of interest related to Musk’s involvement with the government. Some lawmakers have criticized the deal, suggesting it prioritizes Musk’s financial interests over public safety.
In recent statements, Musk claimed that Verizon’s air traffic control system was failing and posed risks to flyers. However, he later clarified that his criticisms were directed at a different system, acknowledging that the Verizon system is not yet operational. Musk also mentioned that Starlink is providing terminals at no cost to help restore connectivity for air traffic control.
For more details, visit The Verge.