Would have been effective based on what evidence?
"Starlink had difficulty meeting the basic uplink and downlink speed standards for the program" and added Starlink’s proposal would have required subscribers to purchase a $600 dish to start service.
I'd say that is a pretty good reason for a decision. Questioning it is fine but as usual anything Musk makes some people believe he is smart and magically has the best solution to any problem instead of just mostly a con artist.
BEAD funding was $42 billion (lets be real, that'll probably be doubled in the years to come like every project) to connect ~ 9 million households. Thats $4.6k per household. Seems like satellite internet would be way cheaper, even with a $600 dish. Also, if the speeds are an issue, alter that. Poor rural households that aren't even connected today don't need fiber optic speed internet. The goal should be connection.
I'd say that is a pretty good reason for a decision. Questioning it is fine but as usual anything Musk makes some people believe he is smart and magically has the best solution to any problem instead of just mostly a con artist.