Appeals Court Sides With Fiber Provider in Railroad Crossing Dispute
Seventh Circuit says railroads can’t charge fiber providers for access without the property rights to do so
Seventh Circuit says railroads can’t charge fiber providers for access without the property rights to do so
WASHINGTON, August 12, 2026 – A federal appeals court has sided with a fiber provider in a dispute over whether a railroad can control, and charge for, access beneath its tracks.
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit ruled Friday that CSX Transportation could not use its Indiana railroad easements to block Zayo Group from running fiber optic cable beneath its corridor.
Industry groups also supported continued funding amid concerns from FCC Chairman Brendan Carr
NTIA needs new FCC coverage data before determining how many locations could qualify for another funding round
The agency is waiting on new FCC broadband coverage maps, which it expects will be released ‘soon’
Shared standards could help U.S. and allied vendors gain scale and compete in international markets