Musk’s D.O.G.E role costs Starlink as UK users switch to alternatives

Starlink users in the UK are having second thoughts about the satellite internet service provider because of its owner Elon Musk’s DOGE role under President Donald Trump’s administration.

Since Musk got involved in White House business, he has been instrumental in cutting federal spending as part of the department of government efficiency (DOGE) initiative, which is not going down well with stakeholders of his various businesses including Starlink and Tesla.

Musk’s DOGE role makes Starlink users uncomfortable

According to The Guardian, Starlink users have been increasing in the UK, but there appear to be some cracks ever since Musk got involved in politics, particularly his DOGE role in President Trump’s administration.

In the UK, Starlink’s market is mainly individuals and businesses in rural areas with poor broadband access, even though there is also a minority “preppers” and other people who buy the tech as Musk’s fans.

Some users have indicated they have switched off the satellite internet system for other service providers.

One of the users, Barry Nisbet, a Scottish fiddler whose Shetland business combines music with seafaring specifically mentioned the tech billionaire’s controversial salute during President Trump’s inauguration ceremony as one of the final pushes to leave Starlink, although the decision disadvantaged him.

“I’ve been deeply uncomfortable for some time and the role he played in the US election, as well as the monopoly he has, deeply bothers me.”

Nisbet.

According to The Guardian, Starlink is a dominant player in its sector. Signs of users’ discomfort with the service provider are also coming with excitement among European tech enthusiasts as they see prospects of opportunities for homegrown solutions finally emerging.

The value of shares of Eutelsat, the French owner of London-based OneWeb, which is Starlink’s rival surged by 500% since President Trump’s row with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in the Oval Office.

The company’s CEO told Bloomberg of prospects of replacing Starlink in a couple of months in places like Ukraine.

Another service provider, Viasat, which owns UK network Inmarsat is also holding discussions with European governments about replacing Starlink.

Some disgruntled users just don’t have a choice but to connect to Starlink

According to an installer of Starlink, some businesses and homes in Southern England have revealed that currently there was no better alternative to Starlink, especially for those in need of fast internet.

“In the industry we are stuck between a rock and a hard place. On the one hand, it’s a necessary tool and a solution that exists in a lot of rural areas, especially with the poor investment in infrastructure,” he said.

“But on the other hand, we have now got to deal with Elon – to put it politely – being a twat,” he added.

Another user, Richard Opie, a consultant who lives in a semi-rural part of Northumberland revealed he got Starlink during the pandemic as there was not enough capacity on BT, and was now weighing his options if he should stay with the company.

“It’s a godsend, especially in remote areas, but things have developed politically since then. Elon Musk is a very different figure and Tesla showrooms are being burned to the ground,” he said.

“I’m uncomfortable with him getting into bed with Trump and the way he has thrown his weight around.”

Opie.

If Facebook comments on “Starlink UK Users’ Group” are anything to go by, then the users are unhappy with Musk’s political involvement.

One Starlink user identified as Mel Sayer wrote “I refuse to go to Trump’s hotels as I won’t give a penny to Trump.”

“I now don’t want to fund ‘President Musk’ on his endeavours after that salute.”

Sayer.

Another user, Mike Brown wrote: “I share your thoughts but am stuck with Starlink for now. Amazon is due to launch a rival service but probably not until next year. I’ll be jumping ship as quickly as possible.”

Not only is Starlink affected but investors and ordinary people have also reacted unfavorably to the electric vehicle maker Tesla.

A recent ABC News report revealed that vehicles, dealerships, and charging stations have been vandalized and faced arson since Musk started his White House role leading to mass layoffs of government workers

Christopher Tsai, chief investment officer and president of Tsai Capital which holds about 75,000 Tesla shares, recently expressed concerns at Musk’s DOGE role and hoped it was just “short-lived.”

His comments come on the backdrop of Musk’s advice for widespread dismissals of government employees across services by the Trump administration including humanitarian aid and development work.

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