Report Reviews Satellite Broadband Role in Federal Expansion Programs
A Congressional Research Service report warns cost and capacity limits may restrict rural deployment options
WASHINGTON, Dec. 1, 2025 — Low-Earth orbit satellite networks could help close broadband gaps in rural regions, but cost, capacity limits, and uncertain performance may restrict their use in federal expansion efforts, according to a report by the Congressional Research Service.
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CRS, Congress’ own public policy research institute, said SpaceX’s Starlink (the largest satellite broadband provider with more than 6,750 satellites) now covers most of the United States.
However, only 17 percent of U.S. Starlink users met the Federal Communications Commission’s 100 Megabits per second (Mbps) download and 20 Mbps upload benchmark in recent testing. The result that could impact eligibility for continued federal support, the report said.
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