• 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
Wednesday, September 17, 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 His company, SpaceX, is aggressively urging the FAA to modernize its outdated telecommunications infrastructure by deploying Starlink satellite terminals.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

More than 100 million Americans are trapped in $1.6trn car debt, larger than Saudi Arabia’s economy

Car buyers urged to act fast as tariffs, tight supply push prices near $53,000

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

Car debt
Business

More than 100 million Americans are trapped in $1.6trn car debt, larger than Saudi Arabia’s economy

September 16, 2025
China car export
News

Car buyers urged to act fast as tariffs, tight supply push prices near $53,000

September 16, 2025
Ford Motor Electric vehicles
Electric Vehicles

Ford to cut 1,000 Jobs in Cologne as Europe’s EV demand slows

September 16, 2025
2016 Toyota Camry
News

Car ownership: Top five luxury cars under ₦20m you can buy in Nigeria

September 16, 2025
Nissan Ariya electric vehicles (EVs)
Electric Vehicles

Nissan’s Ariya EVs land in Australia with lower-than-expected prices

September 15, 2025
Elon Musk
Electric Vehicles

Tesla shares jump as Musk’s $1bn stock buy renews investor faith

September 15, 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

Astrolab Flex Rover

Astrolab partners with SpaceX to launch Flex Rover to the moon in 2026

April 4, 2023
GM and Stellantis

GM, Stellantis face federal lawsuits over worker discrimination and harassment claims

January 21, 2025
German aviation industry [Photo Credit Reuters]

How German aviation industry battles seat capacity slump

August 14, 2023
GAC Motors After-sales service

GAC Motors’ after-sales service is a game-changer in Nigeria’s automotive industry

May 21, 2024

About

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

Follow us

Recent Posts

  • More than 100 million Americans are trapped in $1.6trn car debt, larger than Saudi Arabia’s economy
  • Car buyers urged to act fast as tariffs, tight supply push prices near $53,000
  • Ford to cut 1,000 Jobs in Cologne as Europe’s EV demand slows
  • Car ownership: Top five luxury cars under ₦20m you can buy in Nigeria

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