USF
Fifth Circuit Judges Probe USF Spending, Administrator
A Fifth Circuit panel heard oral arguments Wednesday in Consumers' Research's latest challenge to the program
Jake Neenan
Reporter Jake Neenan covers a range of broadband and telecom issues. He follows federal policymaking at the FCC and NTIA, spectrum allocation, infrastructure spending, and satellite connectivity.
Broadband Mapping and Data
BEAD Projects Could Require 86,000 Permits Nationwide, Analysts Say
ACLP researchers said that was likely an undercount
Earnings
SpaceX Planning Terrestrial Deployments to Support Direct-to-Device
The company added 1.7 million broadband subscribers in the second quarter
Wireless
Tower Companies Optimistic Amid Spectrum Auctions, Potential AI Deployments
SBA Communications has been in early talks with satellite companies about terrestrial deployments
Digital Inclusion
Commerce Working on New Round of Digital Equity Act Funding
The agency is planning to take applications in December
BEAD
Virginia Moves Forward on BEAD Contracts
One ISP backed out of a small project, but other winners are scooping up those locations
Earnings
EchoStar’s Hughes Files for Bankruptcy
EchoStar lost 118,000 mobile subscribers in the second quarter
Wireless
GOP Senators Want Phone Unlocking Mandate
The cable industry and SpaceX have also pushed for the policy
BEAD
BEAD Participants Could Face Tough Finances: Moffett
NTIA has been adamant that it’s preventing defaults
Privacy
Sixth Circuit to Rehear Case on FCC Data Breach Rules
Telecom industry groups and Republican lawmakers said the court’s previous decision made it harder for Congress to nullify disfavored rules
Spectrum
Lawmakers Want FCC, NTIA to Protect Wi-Fi at WRC
House members expect China to try to ‘undermine continued international support for unlicensed use of the 6 GHz band’
Spectrum
NTIA Clears Remaining 4.4 GigaHertz Study Plans
Rysavy Research argued the 4.4 GHz band was a good choice for 6G technology.
Wireless
FCC: Only Former Business Partners Can Draw on Dish Trust
The order comes two weeks after infrastructure companies said they were concerned Dish’s bankruptcy might drain the $2.4 billion fund
NTIA
U.S. Officials Want Allied Control Over 6G
Chinese firms took international market share in 5G gear
Spectrum
Qualcomm Still Pushing for Sidelink Rulemaking
The company wants to make public safety gear with government spectrum that NTIA is eyeing for mobile use
Wireless
AT&T: More Than Half of Residential Fixed Wireless Subs Take a Mobile Line
The company is looking to sell more of those bundled plans
