Fiber
House Bill Seeks to Avoid Another ‘Rip-and-Replace’ with Foreign Fiber Ban
The bipartisan FIREWALL Act would restrict federal broadband funding to domestically sourced or allied fiber-optic cable.
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.
NTIA
GAO Renews Pressure on NTIA Over Spectrum, Broadband Coordination
Auditors say agency has implemented just one of 11 priority recommendations issued last year.
FCC
FCC Set to Consider Rewrite of Satellite Licensing Rules
The order would support faster deployment of space-based broadband if approved.
E-Rate
Library Groups Mobilize Against FCC Proposal to Reshape E-Rate
Thursday’s FCC E-Rate inquiry would raise compliance burdens for consultants, participants, and providers, librarians said in interviews
Congress
Ocasio-Cortez Introduces AI Data Center Moratorium Act
The bill expands a Senate effort to pause data center growth.
Congress
Democratic Senators Oppose ‘Weak’ House Kids Online Safety Act
Blumenthal, Cantwall argue House Republicans diluted the bill under pressure from big tech.
FCC
AT&T Files Complaint Against Duke Energy Over Pole Attachment Rates
AT&T previously challenged Duke's pole rates in federal court.
Data Center
Pallone Backs National Moratorium on AI Data Centers
Despite growing local opposition, no state has implemented a successful pause on data centers to date.
Digital Inclusion
Digital Equity Act Program Can Proceed Without Race Criteria, Trump Attorneys Say
The administration urged the court to rule immediately in NDIA v. Trump, while plaintiffs disputed whether the issue can be resolved at this stage.
Data Center
Virginia Lawmakers Strike Data Center Tax Deal After Budget Standoff
New electricity consumption tax expected to generate $1.2 billion over two years.
Congress
House Leaders Reach Deal on Kids Online Safety Package
Revised ‘KIDS Act’ establishes new federal oversight of data brokers handling minors’ personal data.
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
