• News
    • Tech
    • Lifestyle
    • Business
    • Opinion
    • Premium
  • Reviews
  • Events
    • Nigeria
    • South Africa
  • Tools
    • Price Guide
    • Find your idea car
    • Car valuation
    • Sell your car
    • Car insurance quote
    • Locate a dealer
    • Deals
  • For Sale
    • New Cars for sale
    • Cheap Cars for sale
    • Bikes for sale
    • Trucks for sale
    • Boats for sale
    • Jets for sale in Africa
    • Cars under 5m
    • EV in Nigeria
    • EV in South Africa
Tuesday, August 5, 2025
  • Login
Auto Journal Africa
  • News
    • Tech
    • Lifestyle
    • Business
    • Opinion
    • Premium
  • Reviews
  • Events
    • Nigeria
    • South Africa
  • Tools
    • Price Guide
    • Find your idea car
    • Car valuation
    • Sell your car
    • Car insurance quote
    • Locate a dealer
    • Deals
  • For Sale
    • New Cars for sale
    • Cheap Cars for sale
    • Bikes for sale
    • Trucks for sale
    • Boats for sale
    • Jets for sale in Africa
    • Cars under 5m
    • EV in Nigeria
    • EV in South Africa
Ask Autojorunal AI
No Result
View All Result
  • News
    • Tech
    • Lifestyle
    • Business
    • Opinion
    • Premium
  • Reviews
  • Events
    • Nigeria
    • South Africa
  • Tools
    • Price Guide
    • Find your idea car
    • Car valuation
    • Sell your car
    • Car insurance quote
    • Locate a dealer
    • Deals
  • For Sale
    • New Cars for sale
    • Cheap Cars for sale
    • Bikes for sale
    • Trucks for sale
    • Boats for sale
    • Jets for sale in Africa
    • Cars under 5m
    • EV in Nigeria
    • EV in South Africa
No Result
View All Result
Morning News
No Result
View All Result
Home Read a ride Aerospace

SpaceX’s Starlink vs. Verizon: The battle for FAA’s $2.4bn telecom contract

David Ijaseun by David Ijaseun
March 8, 2025
in Aerospace, Premium
0
SpaceX’s Starlink vs. Verizon: The battle for FAA’s $2.4bn telecom contract
0
SHARES
25.9k
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Elon Musk is once again pushing his way into government affairs, this time with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). His company, SpaceX, is aggressively urging the FAA to modernize its outdated telecommunications infrastructure by deploying Starlink satellite terminals.

This move is part of Musk’s broader goal to overhaul government operations, but it has sparked tensions, including uncertainty about the future of Verizon’s existing Federal Aviation Administration .

READ ALSO

Ghanaian police recovers 43 stolen luxury cars linked to global theft rings

Mercedes fights back, seizes 1.5 million fake car parts across the world

Two weeks ago, SpaceX engineer Ted Malaska arrived at the FAA’s headquarters in Washington, presenting what he described as a directive from Musk himself, stating that the FAA must immediately begin a new program to integrate thousands of Starlink terminals into the national airspace system.

The urgency was palpable, with Malaska stressing that the work must be completed within 18 months, a timeline that has raised alarms among aviation safety experts accustomed to a more methodical pace. Malaska even warned that anyone obstructing the project would risk their job, according to multiple sources.

This rapid shift in the FAA’s telecommunications strategy has thrown Verizon’s $2.4 billion contract into jeopardy. The telecommunications giant had won the bid in 2023 to modernize the FAA’s aging infrastructure, which includes replacing obsolete copper wiring with fiber-optic cables. However, SpaceX’s push to implement Starlink technology could potentially disrupt Verizon’s plan. The talks are ongoing, and the situation remains fluid, with both companies uncertain about the final outcome. As the FAA explores its options, lawmakers have raised concerns about the potential conflicts of interest, given that the agency also regulates SpaceX’s rocket launches.

SpaceX’s Starlink is a satellite-based broadband service that uses thousands of orbiting satellites to provide internet connectivity. According to Harvard astrophysicist Jonathan McDowell, nearly 63% of the operational satellites in Earth’s orbit belong to Starlink. The first Starlink terminal was installed at Birchwood Airport in Alaska last week, marking a key milestone for the project. The FAA plans to test Starlink terminals at several other locations, including airports in New Jersey and Oklahoma City.

While some FAA officials see Starlink as a potential game-changer, others have voiced concerns. They argue that rushing to deploy new technology without thorough testing could compromise safety. The debate centers on whether the FAA can afford to make quick decisions, or whether the agency should proceed more cautiously to prevent any risks, especially with the looming threat of cyberattacks on critical infrastructure.

In the coming weeks, the FAA will have to decide whether to proceed with Starlink or stick with Verizon’s plan. This decision could have significant implications for the future of aviation safety, government contracts, and the tech giant’s growing influence in Washington.

Read more on Elon Musk’s net worth soars $70bn as Trump victory powers Tesla surge

Tags: Elon MuskFAAFederal Aviation AdministrationHeadlinespaceXStarlinksVerizon

Related Posts

stolen luxury vehicles in Ghana recovered
News

Ghanaian police recovers 43 stolen luxury cars linked to global theft rings

August 4, 2025
Mercedes fights back, seizes 1.5 million fake car parts across the world
News

Mercedes fights back, seizes 1.5 million fake car parts across the world

August 4, 2025
Trucks on New E-Call Up System in Lagos
Africa

Lagos registers over 10,000 trucks with new E-call up system to ease Lekki traffic

August 3, 2025
Sinkhole in Gauteng Province
Africa

South Africa’s richest province at risk as illegal mining sinks roads and bridges

August 1, 2025
Nigeria’s auto future at risk without clear law, says AAAM
Africa

Nigeria’s auto future at risk without clear law, says AAAM

August 1, 2025
SkyDrive Flies eVTOL Prototype
Aerospace

Flying cars edge closer to reality as Japan certifies SkyDrive eVTOL

July 26, 2025
Next Post
Valerie Labi

Auto Boss: Meet Valerie Labi, the champion of sustainable mobility across Africa

POPULAR NEWS

Inferno at Toyota 1000 Desert Race consumes 49 cars

Inferno at Toyota 1000 Desert Race consumes 49 cars

July 3, 2023
Mobius Motors

Mobius Motors: Rising taxes, competition ends Kenyan SUV maker’s journey

August 7, 2024
Autojournal car race

Get ready for the biggest RACE show this December in Nigeria

August 12, 2024
From style to sustainability: How Geely Auto is shaping the future of luxury vehicles

From style to sustainability: How Geely Auto is shaping the future of luxury vehicles

October 25, 2024
Oyo State Governor gifts Saheed Osupa Toyota Prado SUV worth ₦70M 

Oyo State Governor gifts Saheed Osupa Toyota Prado SUV worth ₦70M 

August 22, 2023

EDITOR'S PICK

SiltechWorld partners Glovo, Swap Station to expand Africa’s electric mobility ecosystem

SiltechWorld partners Glovo, Swap Station to expand Africa’s electric mobility ecosystem

May 20, 2024
Blackcircles online tyre retailer

Blackcircles closes South African operations after two years. What led to the sudden shutdown?

November 22, 2024
Stellantis

Stellantis recalls 332,000 vehicles in the U.S. over seat belt sensor issues

July 11, 2024
Trump and Elon Muck Pose With a Tesla

Trump buys Tesla to support Musk amid struggles

March 12, 2025

About

Auto Journal Africa is the leading online and print magazine for automobiles in Africa.

Follow us

Recent Posts

  • Ghanaian police recovers 43 stolen luxury cars linked to global theft rings
  • Mercedes fights back, seizes 1.5 million fake car parts across the world
  • Busted: How LASTMA arrested 61,000 vehicles in six months
  • Jeep Avenger hits 200,000 orders as brand gains new ground in Europe

Links

  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • News
  • Reviews
  • Events
  • Tools
  • For Sale

© 2023 Auto Journal

No Result
View All Result
  • News
    • Tech
    • Lifestyle
    • Business
    • Opinion
    • Premium
  • Reviews
  • Events
    • Nigeria
    • South Africa
  • Tools
    • Price Guide
    • Find your idea car
    • Car valuation
    • Sell your car
    • Car insurance quote
    • Locate a dealer
    • Deals
  • For Sale
    • New Cars for sale
    • Cheap Cars for sale
    • Bikes for sale
    • Trucks for sale
    • Boats for sale
    • Jets for sale in Africa
    • Cars under 5m
    • EV in Nigeria
    • EV in South Africa

© 2023 Auto Journal

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In