SpaceX is in talks with the U.K for its Starlink satellite unit to earn funding from the government’s $6.9 billion internet infrastructure program, according to CNBC. U.K Minister of Digital Infrastructure Matt Warman met Starlink leadership as part of the ongoing discussions for the ‘Project Gigabit’ plan rolled out on Friday.
U.K. Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden believes Starlink is one of the best options for delivering internet service to hard-to-reach areas across the country.
On Friday, the U.K launched the first phase of Project Gigabit, the government’s $6.9 billion program to upgrade the internet service of more than one million homes and businesses.
The first phase of Project Gigabit will gather proposed solutions from companies with a variety of delivery methods, including satellites.
Project Gigabit represents the potential for SpaceX to add more government subsidy winnings for Starlink, after it was awarded almost $900 million in federal subsidies late last year
SpaceX also signed an agreement with NASA in January to cooperate on how to avoid collisions with the company’s Starlink satellites.
The company also announced changes to the satellites to decrease brightness following concerns from astronomers.
SpaceX’s public beta gained more than 10,000 users in its first three months.
