Elon Musk’s SpaceX has reportedly connected the White House and its adjacent offices to its Starlink satellite internet service, according to a New York Times report. However, questions remain about whether this move will effectively improve connectivity for staffers.
Despite claims of poor service in parts of the White House complex, experts argue that Starlink may not be the right solution. The system’s broadband is routed through a White House data center miles away, rather than using direct satellite connections on-site. Security concerns have also been raised, with critics warning that this setup introduces a potential vulnerability.
Starlink’s service is primarily designed for rural areas with limited broadband options, not urban environments like Washington, D.C., where major carriers already provide full coverage. Additionally, the move raises ethical and strategic questions, as Musk’s increasing involvement in government projects—including potential FAA contracts and federal broadband expansion programs—faces scrutiny.
Ultimately, the effectiveness and security implications of Starlink’s White House deployment remain uncertain.
Report: Starlink Tries to Fix White House’s Wi-Fi Woes | PCMag
Yeah, as an IT professional for over 3 decades, I can tell you what they did, did not help any of the signal issues at the White House. Injecting another service provider at the data center that’s miles away just provides another Internet provider; it doesn’t do a damn thing for WiFi signals around the White House.