Ah, here we go again. Another round of political whiplash, courtesy of Donald Trump’s return to the Oval Office. While internet policy didn't exactly headline his campaign ads, the ramifications are about to make everyone’s online lives a whole lot weirder—and not necessarily in a good way.
Trump’s victory spells out three things for internet policy: the potential rollback of net neutrality (again), a brand-new red carpet rolled out for Elon Musk and his Starlink empire, and potential chaos within broadband infrastructure initiatives like the BEAD program. So if you’ve been waiting for reliable rural broadband, affordable internet, or even a stable FCC stance on net neutrality, well, strap in. Let’s dive into what this victory means for you, your online habits, and the future of the internet as we know it.
1. Starlink Is About to Get a Presidential Boost—Thanks, Elon
To say that Elon Musk spent big on this election would be an understatement. At least $132 million later, Musk has not only helped Trump back into office but also likely secured a prime spot on the priority list for Starlink. Starlink, for the uninitiated, is Musk's satellite-based broadband service that promises connectivity to rural, underserved areas. Sounds good in theory, but the real story is a bit more complicated.
Up until now, Starlink has mostly been the FCC’s uninvited guest at the funding table. The FCC rejected Starlink’s bid for nearly $900 million in federal funding through the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF), and the more recent $42.5 billion Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program hasn’t exactly been rolling out the welcome mat. Why? The government’s been obsessed with fiber—the gold standard in broadband infrastructure, albeit a pricey one. Musk, on the other hand, has argued that he can provide connectivity with a $500 Starlink kit instead of the tens of thousands it costs to lay fiber per mile.
Yet, despite Musk’s “we can save you a fortune” pitch, Starlink’s actual performance remains questionable. A user might call Starlink a "game-changer" after struggling with dial-up speeds, but others note that it’s still not meeting the FCC’s baseline definition of broadband—100 Mbps download and 20 Mbps upload. Meanwhile, Musk insists Starlink will hit 1,000 Mbps with the right tweaks (and a little regulatory blessing from his buddy in the White House).
What it means for you: Get ready for a push toward Starlink, especially in rural areas, even if it hasn’t quite proven itself as a long-term solution. While fiber projects will likely continue in some places, expect to see increased lobbying for satellite solutions, particularly ones stamped with the SpaceX logo.
2. Goodbye Net Neutrality (Again)
Ah, net neutrality, the policy that just can’t seem to stick around long enough to make a lasting impact. For those who may have missed the last decade of ping-ponging on this issue, here’s the quick rundown: net neutrality rules require internet providers to treat all web traffic equally, preventing them from, say, throttling your Netflix connection while fast-tracking their own streaming service.
First established in 2015 by the Obama administration, repealed under Trump in 2017, reinstated under Biden, and now, likely on the chopping block once more. This issue could hit an unprecedented level of chaos, thanks to a recent Supreme Court decision that struck down the Chevron deference, an obscure but critical legal doctrine that limited the FCC’s power in ambiguous areas like net neutrality. Now, with the courts effectively telling the FCC to stay in its lane, the issue’s legal fate has been thrown into complete uncertainty.
What does this mean under a Trump administration? FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr, a vocal opponent of net neutrality, is likely to be a frontrunner for the FCC chair role. This could spell the end (again) for net neutrality, meaning ISPs would have free rein to prioritize, throttle, or block traffic as they please. And while Carr claims this would lower rates and speed up rural broadband development, the net effect would likely be worse for most consumers.
What it means for you: Expect to see more of your favorite websites loading slower—or not at all—if they can’t pay for priority access. ISPs could throttle competitors’ streaming services or prioritize partners. In other words, the internet could become a whole lot less open and a whole lot more frustrating.
3. BEAD Infrastructure Projects Are On the Chopping Block
Here’s the thing about BEAD (Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment), the $42.5 billion program meant to roll out high-speed internet to all those unconnected nooks and crannies across the U.S.: it’s been heavily criticized by Republicans for, among other things, taking too long. So, naturally, a Trump administration will likely try to “reform” it—which is a polite way of saying “gut it.”
BEAD’s slow rollout has caused frustration, as has its emphasis on fiber and low-cost options for consumers, with a monthly price goal of around $30. Critics say it’s bogged down by red tape: diversity, equity, and inclusion requirements, climate-change rules, union preferences, and incentives for public networks. So Trump’s FCC pick, Carr, would likely fast-track a BEAD reboot to favor private companies and less oversight.
In true Trump fashion, though, this "reform" could come with its own chaos. Remember Schedule F, Trump’s late-term executive order that stripped federal employees of job protections, allowing them to be fired for political reasons? Expect a possible resurrection of Schedule F, which could lead to mass layoffs at the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), the agency overseeing BEAD, and a wave of politically motivated replacements.
What it means for you: If you were hoping for fiber to finally make it to your neighborhood, you might be waiting a lot longer, as the program undergoes a restructuring. And if you’re in a low-income household, that $30 broadband plan might become a thing of the past.
4. Will Musk Get His Way on Subsidies and Regulatory Approval?
One thing to watch closely in the coming months is whether Musk can successfully twist Trump’s arm to reroute subsidies away from Starlink’s competitors. Since Starlink isn’t the only company exploring satellite broadband, Musk has an interest in seeing his rivals deprived of government support while his service gains the upper hand.
Musk could, for instance, push to end the Universal Service Fund (USF), which provides subsidies for broadband deployment in rural areas, public institutions, and low-income households. None of this $9 billion annual budget has gone to Starlink so far, and while Musk won’t publicly advocate for killing the USF, there are signs that a Trump administration might reduce its scope.
What it means for you: This could result in lower subsidies for traditional broadband providers, which may mean less competition in rural areas. In other words, if you’re already connected to Starlink, you might stay that way by default.
5. FCC Leadership and the New Face of Internet Policy
Here’s the cherry on top: if Trump has his way, Musk might wield considerable influence over who gets appointed to the FCC. While Brendan Carr is a likely pick, insiders say Musk could effectively have veto power. With Musk’s money in Republican pockets and his agenda now center stage, the FCC’s regulatory tone could shift dramatically in his favor.
Under Musk’s influence, the FCC may prioritize policies that expedite satellite approvals, grant Starlink greater spectrum access, and limit regulatory oversight that affects SpaceX. This includes bending over backward to help Starlink achieve Musk’s lofty speed goals, such as the elusive 1,000 Mbps he’s promised.
What it means for you: Brace for an FCC that’s more responsive to Musk’s business interests than to consumers’ internet concerns. Policies that keep providers accountable could be weakened, and the regulatory landscape could swing sharply in favor of tech monopolies.
The Takeaway: Get Ready for an Unregulated, Muskified Internet
A Trump victory may not have come with an internet policy playbook, but make no mistake: the digital landscape is set to shift, and not necessarily for the better. Musk’s influence will likely skyrocket, with his Starlink ambitions replacing infrastructure that could serve more people with faster and more reliable connections. Net neutrality may disappear once again, leading to a pay-for-play internet where your access to information depends on your wallet (or the depth of someone else’s).
Ultimately, internet policy under Trump might look less like a roadmap and more like a personal shopping list for Silicon Valley’s wealthiest. And if you’re one of those hoping for fair, affordable, and widely available internet, well, you’d better hope you’re into satellite broadband.
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