Hi, I'm the guy who used to oversee the federal government's agency IT telecommunications contracts. This is extremely bad. There is absolutely no need for this. Not only is it a huge security exposure, but the simplest explanation for this is that it is meant to be a security exposure.
I mean, I think the simplest explanation is that it's another kickback to Musk, tbh. Donald's Razor: "Never attribute to traitorous malice that which is adequately explained by corrupt malice."
That would justify the major objection coming from Secret Service, for sure. So we’re left wondering: how did Musk describe this to Trump? Was someone else in the room to offer an alternative, more patriotic view?
I'm trying to figure out why would someone need or want to install Starlink in a place that's certainly very well connected with fiber, and the only things I can think off is that it's either a commercial / justification for why they are changing the legislation to allow Starlink to receive tens of billions of government $ to provide internet in rural areas, or some (not so wild anymore) conspiracy theories.
Personal anecdote:
A relative of mine has his own business that covers all sorts of IT stuff.
He has a starlink running permanently as a backup because a couple of times a year his fiber experiences some downtime.
Terrestrial wireless would be faster, more reliable, and less expensive. Near the White House, it could link between multiple other government building and have no recurring expense. Starlink is worse, slower, and more expensive.
Starlink still seems like an odd choice, since having access to fiber implies 5g is available, too, and the latter costs half as much and is faster/lower-latency. Maybe it makes sense as a backup for the backup, though.
Hi, I'm the guy who used to oversee the federal government's agency IT telecommunications contracts. This is extremely bad. There is absolutely no need for this. Not only is it a huge security exposure, but the simplest explanation for this is that it is meant to be a security exposure.