Congress
House Leaders Reach Deal on Kids Online Safety Package
Revised ‘KIDS Act’ establishes new federal oversight of data brokers handling minors’ personal data.
Jericho Casper
Assistant Editor Jericho Casper graduated from University of Virginia studying telecommunications policy. She previously served as a research assistant examining state laws that restrict local governments from owning or operating broadband networks.
FCC
AT&T Asks to Discontinue Service on Damaged, Vandalized Copper Lines
A filing details hundreds of outages, with AT&T saying it does not intend to repair affected copper lines.
Broadband Mapping and Data
Senate Passes Bill Requiring Review of Broadband Funding Map
Measure would require FCC and GAO reviews of federal tool used to track broadband deployment spending.
FCC
FCC Extends Public Input Period on AT&T’s Petitions to Shed California Landline Obligations
Comments filed to date have pushed back against AT&T’s bid to reduce its voice service obligations.
AT&T
AT&T Names Jennifer Biry as Incoming CFO
Pascal Desroches to step down after leading AT&T’s finance division for more than five years.
FCC
Education Groups Urge FCC to Drop Questions About Ending E-Rate
Coalition argues FCC lacks authority to terminate or narrow school and library broadband subsidies
FCC
USF Contribution Factor Hits Record 38.8% in Third Quarter
FCC reduced projected demand by $125 million, but the assessment rate still reached an all-time high.
Plumas Sierra Telecommunications
Fiber Projects Capture Most of $18.2 Million California Broadband Investment
Four projects led by Plumas-Sierra Telecom awarded $14.7 million of approved funding
California
California Lawmaker Pulls Constitutional Amendment Reshaping Telecom Oversight
Boerner says the proposal needs more work as opponents warn it could undermine the CPUC's telecommunications authority
April McClain-Delaney
Lawmakers Press Commerce over Withholding of Billions in Broadband Funds
House Democrats dispute characterization of $21 billion in unspent funds as ‘taxpayer savings.’
AI
Up to 50 Million Jobs Could Be Vulnerable to AI
Bipartisan commission rejects universal basic income as policy response.
permitting
Conference of Mayors Urges Congress to Reject American Broadband Deployment Act
Resolution warns that the legislation would limit local oversight of broadband deployment and public rights-of-way.
BEAD
One Year After BEAD Restructured, Some States Still Can’t Access Infrastructure Funding
Despite federal promises to accelerate deployment, states are still waiting on approvals to access broadband funds.
Data Center
New York Assembly Approves One Year Pause on Large Data Centers
Omnibus measure would pause new large-scale projects, create new utility rate classes and require community benefits.
USF
Universal Service Fund Contribution Factor Projected to Reach Record 42.3%
Analyst argues broadband providers should contribute, as shrinking telecom revenues push the surcharge toward record levels.
FCC
Telecom Industry Opposes FCC Proposal to Onshore Call Centers
Industry, labor, and business groups urge FCC to reject the proposal.
