BEAD
Louisiana Signs Seven BEAD Grant Agreements
Approved grants cover nearly 40,000 of the state’s 127,000 BEAD locations.
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.
Spectrum
Dish to Colo. Judge: Don’t Uphold American Tower Contract
Two tower companies have sued to prevent Dish from exiting lease agreements after major spectrum sales by its parent company.
Satellite
Satellite Operators Opposed to SpaceX’s Planned Direct-to-Cell Constellation
They fear interference from a 15,000-satellite system SpaceX wants approval to launch.
Spectrum
FCC to Consider New Higher-Power, Outdoor Devices at 6 GigaHertz
Wi-Fi supporters were pleased with the announcement.
Cybersecurity
FCC Looking for New Cyber Trust Mark Administrator
The previously selected testing company stepped down after an FCC probe into its ties to China.
BEAD
Non-Deployment Funds Unlikely to be Clawed Back, Experts Say
NTIA Administrator Arielle Roth has said she would support permitting reform as one potential use for the funds.
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.
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.
