03-18-2025, 02:12 PM
"Satellite internet now reaches the presidential residence thanks to a donation from Elon Musk's SpaceX, according to a New York Times story. But will it actually help staffers get a better signal?"
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.
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As the article points out, what they're claiming they did makes no fucking sense as to how it could help with the WiFi signal issues around the White House. Better Access Points or additional meshing units, etc. would be a better investment. All they did here was inject the Starlink service at the White House data center. If they had areas where staffers, or the president, couldn't get signal plugging in Starlink at the data center doesn't do a damn thing.
Report: Starlink Tries to Fix White House's Wi-Fi Woes | PCMag
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.
--
As the article points out, what they're claiming they did makes no fucking sense as to how it could help with the WiFi signal issues around the White House. Better Access Points or additional meshing units, etc. would be a better investment. All they did here was inject the Starlink service at the White House data center. If they had areas where staffers, or the president, couldn't get signal plugging in Starlink at the data center doesn't do a damn thing.
Report: Starlink Tries to Fix White House's Wi-Fi Woes | PCMag