Starlink operator SpaceX is continuing its battle versus state strategies to broaden fiber broadband schedule. After stating the Trump administration need to reject a Virginia proposition, SpaceX is taking the exact same method in a battle versus Louisiana.

SpaceX made its view understood to the Louisiana Office of Broadband Development and Connectivity in a filing, which was reported the other day by PCMag. SpaceX grumbled that Louisiana proposed granting 91.5 percent of funds to fiber Internet service suppliers rather of to the Starlink satellite system. SpaceX declared that Louisiana was affected by “a legion of fiber lobbyists and other hangers-on seeking to personally benefit from massive taxpayer spending.”

The Trump administration reworded guidelines for the $42 billion Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) grant program in such a way that advantages Starlink. Rather of focusing on fiber networks that provide much better service and are more future-proof, the Trump administration bought states to modify their strategies with a “tech-neutral approach” and lower the typical expense of serving each area.

SpaceX’s letters to Virginia and Louisiana declare the states are breaking the brand-new guidelines with their financing propositions.

“The State of Louisiana’s Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program Final Proposal proposes to spend nearly $500 million dollars [sic] to provide connectivity to its unserved and underserved locations,” SpaceX composed. “SpaceX applied to serve virtually all BEAD households for less than $100 million dollars. As such, Louisiana’s proposal includes over $400 million dollars in wasteful and unnecessary taxpayer spending.”

SpaceX dissatisfied with $7.75 million

Rather of picking Starlink for all places, Louisiana designated the business $7.75 million to serve 10,327 places. The strategy would invest $499 million for 127,842 areas in general. The Louisiana Local Fiber Consortium, that includes 2 Louisiana service providers that partnered with T-Mobile, was the greatest winner, with $378 million for 68,535 areas.

“Louisiana’s results demonstrate that it did not observe statutory requirements or program rules and did not conduct a competitive process,” SpaceX declared. “A process in which Louisiana is required to award grants based on the lowest cost to the program, and awards 91.5% of funds to fiber projects at an average per-location cost of $4,449, while rejecting applications at $750 per location because the bid was based on Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) technology could not possibly be considered compliant, technology neutral or a ‘competition.'”