People
People: New FCC Chief Economist, USTelecom Promotions
FCC Chairman Brendan Carr's new top economist is University of North Carolina economics professor Jonathan Williams.
Jake Neenan
Reporter Jake Neenan, who covers broadband infrastructure and broadband funding, is a recent graduate of the Columbia Journalism School. Previously he reported on state prison conditions in New York.
mergers
Cable One to Combine Fiber JV with Point Broadband, Acquire Vyve
Separately, former Breezeline president Frank van der Post was named CEO of WOW! after private equity firms closed on the acquisition.
Spectrum
Rural Carriers, Consumer Groups Want AT&T-Array Deal Reviewed
Groups argued cable wasn’t a meaningful competitive constraint in the wireless industry.
12 Days of Broadband
America Loses Dish, a National Wireless Carrier, in 2025
Is the EchoStar saga a success story for spectrum entrepreneurship, or cautionary tale about consolidation in wireless?
Wireless
Industries Opposed to FCC Prison Jamming Proposal
Trade groups, companies suggested small-scale trials before moving forward.
BEAD
House, Senate Appropriators Would Provide NTIA $50 Million for FY2026
Lawmakers would ask for a briefing on the agency's “plans and timeline for expending all remaining” BEAD funds.
12 Days of Broadband
2025 Was a Year of More BEAD Turmoil
Based on tentative results, about 65% of BEAD locations are in line for fiber. Another 22% will get satellite, and 10% will get fixed wireless.
mergers
WOW! Acquisition Closed
Digital Bridge and Crestview Partner took the cable operator private in a $1.5 billion deal.
People
Jim Holanda Named Cable One CEO
He previously led Astound Broadband for 15 years.
Defense Department
Where to Find 800 Megahertz of Spectrum For Auction?
Citizens Broadband Radio Service hasn’t got an explicit defense from the Trump administration, but the FCC hasn’t said it intends to alter it.
permitting
Wireless Industry Wants FCC to Cap Local Permitting Fees, Impose Shot Clocks
State and local governments are concerned about losing authority.
Satellite
Globalstar Opposed to Other Satellite Operators in 1.6 GHz
Iridium petitioned the FCC for access last week, and SpaceX has sought to enter the band.
Spectrum
EchoStar, SpaceX to FCC: Don’t Weigh in on Vendor Contract Disputes
Infrastructure companies had asked the agency to require EchoStar to pay Dish’s bills.
BEAD
NTIA Highlights Maine, Hawaii LEO Deployments Ahead of BEAD
Maine has registered 500 participants for its Working Internet ASAP program.
Cybersecurity
Industry Opposed to New Licensing for Subsea Cable Terminals
The FCC proposed a licensing regime, citing national security concerns.
Copyright
Supreme Court Seen as Likely to Overturn Fourth Circuit’s Ruling in Cox v. Sony
But it’s not clear what new standard justices will lay out.
