For states like Louisiana, anticipated changes to the BEAD program could derail projected economic benefits and job creation associated with fiber optic development.

However, under the Biden administration, the program's rules created barriers that hindered internet expansion, leading to criticism for not connecting any homes to the internet despite distributing $20 billion to states.

The Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program, established in 2021, was designed to improve internet access in rural and underserved areas, initially favoring fiber-optic networks for their speed and reliability.

Experts note that while satellite services like Starlink are generally less expensive for connecting hard-to-reach homes, fiber optic networks offer greater reliability and faster speeds for consumers.

Despite these concerns, the revised funding rules could potentially favor Starlink over fiber-optic networks, raising questions about the implications for internet service quality.

Starlink has faced challenges in securing government funding in the past, including a denial of nearly $900 million in subsidies due to non-compliance with fiber-optic preferences.

Republican senators, including Ted Cruz, have supported changes to eliminate the fiber preference and have pushed for a more technology-neutral approach.

Lutnick's proposed overhaul aims to streamline processes and reduce costs, emphasizing a technology-neutral approach to facilitate faster internet access implementation.

Musk's involvement in shaping public policy raises concerns about conflicts of interest, particularly given his business interests in Tesla, SpaceX, and X (formerly Twitter).

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick has criticized the previous management of the BEAD program, claiming it has yet to effectively connect anyone to the internet due to regulatory favoritism towards fiber technology.

In a significant shift, the Trump administration is proposing changes to the BEAD program to favor non-fiber internet service providers, including Elon Musk's Starlink, which could potentially receive between $10 billion and $20 billion.

Critics argue that loosening funding rules could disadvantage fiber-optic networks, which are generally considered superior for speed and stability compared to satellite options.