With Starlink founder Elon Musk growing in both global and political influence, the company is poised to play a big role in the telecommunications agenda of the incoming administration. Whether it’s Starlink or Project Kuiper (another privately funded satellite-based broadband system), a boost in satellite broadband should benefit consumers who currently lack broadband access.
The Biden administration did not looked favorably on Starlink. Perhaps this was due to the administration’s stubborn focus on fiber deployment. It may also have to do with the aforementioned connection between Musk and Donald Trump. CNET noted that the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) rejected Starlink’s application for $900 million in funding from the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF). Musk called the FCC’s decision on RDOF “contemptible political warfare.”
The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), which administers the Broadband, Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) Program, could exclude Starlink from accessing money in that $42.5 billion fund due to the program’s current wireline focus. Musk has blasted the NTIA’s implementation of that program, calling BEAD “an outrageous waste of taxpayer money [that] is utterly failing to serve people in need.” That came in response to an X post noting that $42.5 billion could have bought Starlink dishes for 140 million people.
Taxpayers would benefit from less resistance to satellite internet because their tax dollars would go further with that technology. The Fiber Broadband Association found that fiber construction typically costs $34,000 to $86,000 per mile. SpaceX President Gwynne Shotwell said in August, “I can bridge that gap with one Starlink kit, which is 500 bucks.”
Satellite isn’t a complete panacea for bridging the digital divide. Spectrum constraints prevent Starlink and other satellite providers from serving all locations in an area, and typical speeds are around 65 Megabits per second down and 10 Mbps up, according to Ookla. This is why the government ought to consider various forms of technology in its telecom approach. […]
— Read More: issuesinsights.com
At Last, a Company With Integrity in the Gold IRA Industry
For several years, I’ve been vetting out precious metals companies in search of the best. I believe in gold and silver but it’s hard to find integrity in the Gold IRA industry. The vast majority operate with shady tactics and gigantic spreads that take advantage of Americans who simply want to protect their life’s savings.
I’ve found a handful that I like and I’ve worked with some of them. By no means would I “unrecommend” them because, again, I vetted them out and found them to be above the fold. Unfortunately, it isn’t hard to be better than the rest when the rest are so darn awful.
After years of searching, I finally found a company that truly operates with integrity. Augusta Precious Metals has three important attributes that set them far above the competition:
- Non-Commissioned Sales Team: I cannot stress how important and unique this is. With just about every other company in the Gold IRA industry, the sales teams make commission from every account they open. This means they steer their clients toward the gold and silver products with the highest commission. With Augusta Precious Metals, the team is solely focused on putting the best gold and silver for their clients into their IRA. They get paid to serve the best interests of the Gold IRA client, NOT their own commission pay.
- Incredibly Low Fees: Most Americans would be shocked if they knew the spread other Gold IRA companies charge. Augusta charges just 5% versus up to 45% elsewhere.
- No Pressure, No Gimmicks: There’s an understanding among most in the Gold IRA industry that fear and pressure is the way to go. Augusta Precious Metals takes a sober approach when working with clients because they hold integrity in the highest possible regard. This is why they don’t offer gimmicks like “free” or “bonus” silver. It’s also why they do not apply pressure tactics to get quick sales. Their educational and transparent approach to doing business is exceedingly rare in the Gold IRA industry.
