NTIA
Rep. Andy Barr Introduces House Companion to Senate Non-Deployment Bill
Allows states to use BEAD funds on workforce, wholesale fiber, IXPs, and wireless infrastructure
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.
12 Days of Broadband
Universal Service Fund Survived, Faces New Legal and Political Challenges
A follow-on legal case about the USF resumed on Wednesday, Dec. 3, in the Fifth Circuit.
mergers
Verizon Concerned About Potential Deployment Requirements for Frontier Deal
A CPUC judge set an oral argument date of Jan. 12, 2026.
permitting
Broadband Industry Wants FCC to Mandate 60-day Shot Clock for Local Permits
Local governments oppose the idea.
Wireless
AT&T Drops Ad Watchdog Suit
BBB National Program’s National Advertising Division agreed to reverse a decision against AT&T.
Spectrum
White House Wants Portions of 7 GHz Band for Licensed Use
New Street’s Blair Levin said the memo suggested CBRS was less likely to be auctioned.
BEAD
Five More State BEAD Approvals
Idaho, Massachusetts, Minnesota, North Carolina, and Utah had their final proposals approved.
USF
Universal Service Fund Working Group Looking for FCC Briefing
Lawmakers are considering how best to reform the fund.
BEAD
Broadband Industry Likes New Non-Deployment Bill
The SUCCESS for BEAD Act would allow more spending on infrastructure, but didn’t specify adoption or affordability efforts.
Robocall
FCC Sets June 2026 Auction Date for AWS-3 Spectrum, Expands Robocall Rules
Carr said agency was not independent: 'Any FCC commissioner can be fired by the president for any reason, or no reason at all'
BEAD
Wicker, Capito Introduce Bill to Ensure Use of Non-Deployment Funds
The bill would allow states to spend the money on wholesale fiber, workforce development, and mobile wireless infrastructure, among other things.
NTIA
New BEAD Rules Subject to Congressional Review, GAO Finds
Congress should have received a report before the rules were issued, the watchdog said.
Broadband Mapping and Data
Fiber Broadband Association Says 11.8 Million New Fiber Passings in 2025
In a separate study, Ookla found median fixed wireless speeds from the mobile carriers decreased in 2025.
Wireless
After Losing Restraining Order Fight, T-Mobile Expands Online Switching Tool
AT&T had asked a judge to block a beta version of the tool that asked prospective customers to log into their accounts with other carriers.
BEAD
Bipartisan Senators Want to Keep Non-Deployment Funds
Six GOP Senators signed on to a Tuesday letter to the NTIA.
mergers
California Public Utilities Judge Seeks Diversity Goals in Verizon Merger
An administrative judge at the CPUC recommended approval, but only with extra DEI requirements.
