Funding
GAO: FCC’s E-Rate Has Adequate Anti-Fraud Measures
The program fared the best in GAO’s review of five government subsidies.
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.
Wireless
Verizon Says Major Outage Caused by ‘Software Issue’
The company also closed its acquisition of Frontier Tuesday.
Public Safety
RFK Jr. ‘Very Concerned’ About Cellphone Radiation, Launches Safety Study
Analyst Blair Levin said the inquiry was unlikely to spur new wireless regulations.
USF
Consumers’ Research Still Says Portions of Universal Service Fund Unconstitutional
The group argued that two provisions of the Telecom Act cannot stand because otherwise they would give the FCC ‘virtually unbounded authority’
BEAD
Colorado, Wyoming Clear NIST Approval on BEAD Plans
June policy changes pushed deployment back by 18 months in Colorado, the state's broadband director said.
mergers
California Public Utilities Commission Approves Verizon-Frontier Merger
The deal is now expected to close on Jan. 20, and diversity policies issue resolved.
Public Safety
House Subcommittee Advances Bills on Next Generation 911, FirstNet Oversight
The six public safety communications bills were advanced on a bipartisan basis.
Spectrum
Federated Wireless Supporting Indoor Shared Spectrum Antenna Systems
Using the Citizens Broadband Radio Service band, the system is designed to connect large venues without taking up capacity on mobile carrier networks.
FCC
Carr Grilled on Broadcasting, Also Testifies on Spectrum and Universal Service
The three-hour hearing was largely focused on broadcast regulation and accusations the agency was pressuring media companies critical of the White House.
FCC
Appropriators Would Give FCC $416 Million Budget for FY2026
That’s in line with the agency’s request and up from its $390 million FY2025 budget.
Infrastructure
AT&T Approved to Discontinue Service at More Than 30% of Copper Footprint This Year
The company wants to decommission much of its copper by the end of 2029.
Spectrum
Dish Defaulted on $3.5 Billion, Crown Castle Says
Dish has argued it is exempt from contracts after its parent company EchoStar reached deals to sell much of its spectrum.
Mobile
FCC Grants Verizon’s Request for Unlocking Waiver
The company had been required to unlock phones after 60 days.
Spectrum
Supreme Court Won’t Revive Fraud Suit Against Array
The whistleblowers still have a separate, similar suit ongoing against the UScellular successor.
Spectrum
Wi-Fi Proponents Like UK Proposal to Share Upper 6 GHz
The plan would allow more unlicensed use than Europe’s telecom regulator.
SpaceX
FCC Approves 7,500 More Starlink Gen2 Satellites
The agency said the move would improve SpaceX’s satellite broadband service.
