Satellite

SpaceX Launches Starship on Another Test Flight, This Time With the Most Advanced Starlink Satellites

Towering more than 400 feet, Starship soared from Texas on Friday.

Rural

Rural Stakeholders Oppose AT&T Petitions that Threaten Universal Telephone Service

Coalition says FCC lacks authority to override California phone service obligations.

Wireless

Dish Seeking to Freeze Tower Suits

A judge pushed back the company’s bankruptcy timeline

FCC

Duke Energy Asks FCC to Stay AT&T Pole Rate Complaint Pending Arbitration

The utility says FCC should pause the complaint while parties privately dispute the issue.

Earnings

Verizon Inks $1 Billion Fiber Deal with Google

AI

Trump Expands a Voluntary Pledge to Protect Consumers From High Utility Bills From AI Data Centers

Opposition to data centers has become bipartisan.

Earnings

Charter Down 172,000 Broadband Subs

The company added 406,000 mobile lines, ahead of expectations

Expert Opinion

Joel Thayer and Ethan Tun: Stop Making Americans Pay for Yesterday’s Phone Network

Outdated rules tying carriers to copper phone lines are diverting billions from fiber and wireless buildout, and the FCC should finish modernizing them.

BEAD

Questions Remain After NTIA’s Review of Billions in Broadband Grants, GAO Says

Watchdog says NTIA did not provide updated data or outcomes for awards flagged during Trump administration review.

Policyband

Charter Reports Weak Second Quarter, Dropping 172,000 Broadband Customers

Mobile growth slowed year over year while company continued to show video improvement owing to deep value from free apps given to expanded basic subscribers

Data Center

Democrats Seize on AI Data Center Backlash That's Dividing Rural Republicans

The AI data center controversy could influence the upcoming election.

Fiber

House Dems Oppose FCC Preempting Calif. Copper Rules

AT&T wants the agency to grant preemption and allow it to discontinue copper service in the state

Wireless

Malibu City Council Votes to Bar New Wireless Facilities in Residential Neighborhoods

The city enacted a resolution prohibiting the placement of new cell equipment closer than 300 feet of residential property lines.

Congress

House Republicans Question Future of Federal Broadband Programs

GAO tells lawmakers fewer broadband programs may be needed after BEAD

Earnings

Comcast Broadband Sub Losses Improving

The company said it’s not yet seeing an impact from Starlink in rural areas

Briefs

Shentel VP and Chief Accounting Officer to Resign

Tracy Willis is leaving the company on Aug. 6