Infrastructure
FCC to Narrow Environmental and Historic Reviews of Wireless Build
Certain small cells, towers, and rural 5G builds may soon bypass NEPA and historic site reviews
Jericho Casper
Former Assistant Editor and Reporter Jericho Casper graduated from the University of Virginia studying media policy. She grew up in Newport News in an area impacted by the digital divide and has a passion for universal access.
Funding
Mission Telecom Pledges $20M in Grants for Grassroots Movements, Telecom Justice
50-plus grantees receive funding to strengthen democracy, voter engagement, and more
Digital Inclusion
Groups Challenge FCC's Bureau-Level Order Suspending Prison Phone Rate Cap
The groups argue that the bureau's order delaying compliance to 2027 violates federal law.
Free Speech
FCC Chair Hit With Legal Ethics Complaint Over Alleged Abuse of Office
Watchdog calls for disbarment over Carr’s role in Paramount’s settlement with Trump
Digital Inclusion
New Jersey Lawmakers Urge Restoration of Digital Equity Funding
Call for reversal of Trump-era cuts as 22-state lawsuit challenges legal basis
Broadband Mapping and Data
Analysis: LEO Bids Average $886 Per Location in Tennessee BEAD Round
Fixed wireless requested $1,289 per location, fiber averaged $4,903
Commerce Justice Science and Related Agencies subcommittee
House Committee Delays Markup of FY26 NTIA Bill
Releases draft report outlining new BEAD policy directives
SpaceX
Amazon and SpaceX Undercut Competition in Tennessee BEAD Bidding
Average LEO bids were $228K, a fraction of the $2.7M requested by fiber providers, on average.
Broadband Mapping and Data
States Report Few Valid Challenges Under BEAD’s Mapping Update
Fears of massive eligibility losses did not materialize
FCC
Groups Oppose FCC Plan to Let Bureaus Eliminate Rules
Proposal tied to Carr’s 'Delete' initiative expected at July 24 meeting
FCC
FCC: Supreme Court Decision Puts Brakes on School Bus Wi-Fi Suit
In NRC v. Texas, High Court narrowed who can challenge federal agency decisions in court
Wireless
Wireless Industry Celebrates Spectrum Victory as Congress Sends ‘Big’ Budget Bill to Trump
Wireless industry celebrates tax incentives, others celebrate expanded R&D credits.
Congress
House Republicans Struggle to Pass Budget Bill as Democrats Seek to Flip Key Votes
Major changes involving spectrum escape scrutiny as debates rage over healthcare and tax cuts
BEAD
BEAD Panel Urges ISPs Not to Panic Under New Rules
Providers must navigate compressed timelines, shifting rules, and new definitions of ‘priority’ broadband.
Virginia
Virginia BEAD ‘Bargain’ Round Delayed Pending NTIA Signoff
90-day shot clock ticks while state waits on Washington.
Oklahoma Broadband Office
Texas Asks Feds for More Time to Meet BEAD Deadline
The state hopes to push its BEAD deadline back by more than two months to November 21.
