德克萨斯州宽带发展办公室周一暂停了BEAD项目超过30亿美元的联邦资金拨款[1]，暂停期限为"直到进一步通知"[1]。这一决定源于批评声浪，指控该办公室在补助分配上向埃隆·马斯克旗下的Starlink卫星互联网服务提供商倾斜[1]。
立法者指出，与其他供应商获得的10%初始拨款比例相比，低地球轨道卫星提供商的分配方案存在差异[1]，引发了关于透明度和公平性的担忧[1]。参议员Charles Schwertner在听证会上表示"我会关注你们的业务开展方式"[1]。州副州长Dan Patrick和众议院议长Dustin Burrows随后呼吁对该宽带办公室进行审计[1]。据悉，州长Greg Abbott办公室在颁发奖助金前数天下达了暂停指令[1]。立法者表示将在明年1月开始的下一届会议期间采取行动[1]。
Texas's broadband development office halted billions of dollars in federal funding from the BEAD program on Monday following accusations that the office has favored Elon Musk's Starlink over other providers.[1] The suspension will remain in effect "until further notice," according to the state office.[1]
Lawmakers raised concerns about the allocation process, noting that low-earth orbit satellite providers received a different initial grant percentage compared to other suppliers, who were offered 10 percent.[1] This disparity prompted questions about transparency and fairness in the distribution of grants exceeding $3 billion.[1] The governor's office issued the directive to pause funding just days before awards were set to be announced.[1]
In response to the controversy, state Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick and House Speaker Dustin Burrows called for an audit of the broadband office.[1] Senator Charles Schwertner, speaking at a hearing, stated: "I will be watching how you do business."[1] Legislators indicated they plan to take action during the next session beginning in January, though no specific completion date for the audit has been set.[1]
Starlink currently serves at least 12 million customers globally.[1]