I would agree if the same standard was being applied to the existing telecoms. But it isn't.
In the last several decades, telecoms have routinely been paid billions for projects that didn't produce, and then won money in the next round as well. Indeed the fight isn't usually about whether to continue this, but who should win this round (established telecoms, municipal broadband, etc).
It was a surprise when Starlink won in the first place. But it is no surprise that it is being held to a higher standard than, say, Charter.
In the last several decades, telecoms have routinely been paid billions for projects that didn't produce, and then won money in the next round as well. Indeed the fight isn't usually about whether to continue this, but who should win this round (established telecoms, municipal broadband, etc).
It was a surprise when Starlink won in the first place. But it is no surprise that it is being held to a higher standard than, say, Charter.