STARLINK TESTING FAA EQUIPMENT IN SOUTH JERSEY AMID POTENTIAL $2 BILLION CONTRACT SHAKEUP

Elon Musk’s satellite internet company, Starlink, is testing equipment at a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) facility in South Jersey, officials confirmed.

The FAA is exploring Starlink as a solution to persistent reliability issues affecting aviation weather data at remote sites in Alaska. As part of the evaluation, Starlink terminals are being tested at one facility in Atlantic City and two in Alaska, the agency announced in a post on Musk-owned X this week.

The Atlantic City terminal refers to the FAA’s facility at Atlantic City International Airport in Egg Harbor Township.

Starlink vs. Verizon: A High-Stakes FAA Contract Battle

Musk has publicly criticized the current system, stating that “The Verizon system is not working and so is putting air travelers at serious risk.”

The FAA’s interest in Starlink comes amid speculation that the company could take over a $2 billion contract currently held by Verizon, according to the Associated Press.

However, such a move raises concerns over potential conflicts of interest. Musk, who owns Starlink’s parent company, SpaceX, also serves as a senior White House adviser to former President Donald Trump. The extent of his involvement in the contract discussions remains unclear.

“There’s very limited transparency,” said Jessica Tillipman, a contracting law expert at George Washington University. “Without that transparency, we have no idea how much non-public information he has access to or what role he’s playing in what contracts are being awarded.”

Concerns Over Starlink’s Readiness for Critical FAA Systems

Former FAA officials told the Associated Press they were "alarmed" at the idea of Starlink becoming a key part of the nation’s aviation system without thorough testing, oversight, and debate.

SpaceX is positioning Starlink as a replacement for the FAA’s aging ground-based communications network, which supports text and voice communication between air traffic controllers and pilots. Verizon was awarded the contract in 2023 to modernize part of that system using fiber optic cables.

What’s Next for the FAA’s Communications Upgrade?

Contracting records show that $200 million worth of work has already been completed under Verizon’s 15-year FAA modernization contract. A Verizon spokesperson told the Associated Press that the company is not aware of any amendments or terminations to the contract at this time.

The FAA’s testing of Starlink signals a possible shift in its long-term communications strategy—but whether Musk’s system will replace Verizon’s remains an open question.