Humanoid Robots Take Center Stage at Silicon Valley Summit, But Skepticism Remains

The commercial boom in AI has sparked interest in humanoid robots. Around 50 companies are investing heavily in humanoid development.

South Africa Eases Affirmative Action Regulations on Starlink that Musk Said Were Racist

The change affects all foreign-owned satellite internet providers that operate in South Africa.

FCC Expedites Comcast Pole Attachment Dispute Against Appalachian Power

Comcast says ​​utility’s policy could delay construction to roughly 13,000 Virginia locations.

Broadband Affordability Falters in 2025

In spite of the political salience of 'affordability,' federal rollbacks, industry pressure, and stalled state efforts took a toll on low-income Americans' broadband.

Uncertain Reactions to the Executive Order on AI and BEAD Non-Deployment Funds

Experts said tying the funding to favorable state AI laws could raise legal issues, but states weren’t certain to litigate.

Policyband's Top 10 Predictions for 2026

No 1: Elon Musk Sues to Block Billions in BEAD Funds Going to Fiber, FWA Overbuilders

White House Issues Order Pledging to Withhold BEAD Funds From States With 'Onerous' AI Laws

Order tones down language of leaked draft, but continues restriction on dispensing remaining BEAD funds to states with 'onerous' AI laws.

House Panel Advances 18-Bill Kids’ Online Safety Package

Democrats warn the proposals would override stronger state privacy laws.

Whistleblowers Want to Revive Fraud Suit Against UScellular Successor

A separate fraud case against the company, filed by the same telecom attorneys, was blessed by the D.C. Circuit in October.

What to Do With Remaining BEAD Funds, a.k.a 'Non-Deployment'?

As states complete their broadband spending plans, a fight is brewing over the remaining $21 billion.

NextNav to Test 5G GPS Backup in San Jose

The test is planned to run through Dec. 1, 2027.

WISPs Continue Push for FCC to Preserve CBRS

Dozens of wireless ISPs have written to the agency on the issue this month.

Time Magazine Names 'Architects of AI' as its Person of the Year for 2025

AI was a leading contender for the top slot, according to prediction markets, along with tech CEOs Jensen Huang of Nvidia and Sam Altman of OpenAI.

Fight on the Right – Laura Loomer Slams Chris Ruddy over His Opposition to Nexstar-TEGNA Merger

‘Ruddy continues to show the world, and especially the conservative movement, how much of a selfish leftist he truly is,” Loomer charged.

Should BEAD Non-Deployment Funds Be Linked to AI? How Should Funds Be Spent?

Experts disagreed on conditioning broadband funding on state AI regulations, balancing digital economy goals against legal constraints.

Rep. Fulcher Presses FCC to Move Faster on GPS Backup

New filings deepen debate over terrestrial GPS alternatives.

Digital Inclusion

Public Knowledge, NDIA Aiming to Platform Local Advocates

The groups' Connectivity Policy Corps will have a first cohort of 18 advocates from 14 states.

Wireless

T-Mobile and AT&T Go Back and Forth in Court Over Customers

T-Mobile says switching tool not illegal, as AT&T alleges. They’re also fighting about an advertising dispute

William Young

Federal Judge Throws Out Trump Order Blocking Wind Energy Project

The White House says offshore wind projects were given unfair, preferential treatment during the Biden administration.

International

Trusty: U.S. Must Keep Up With International Telecom Trends

Nations like Brazil and India were moving quickly to modernize telecom rules, Trusty said

AI

Google Facing a New Antitrust Probe in Europe Over Content it Uses for AI

The investigation is under the EU's competition regulations, not the newer Digital Markets Act.

BEAD

So Far, Approved BEAD Plans Largely in Line with Public Drafts

NTIA has approved 29 state plans; see updated BEAD charts with Breakfast Club Membership

AI

Trump’s AI Executive Order Triggers Concern

Lawmakers object to plan that could let White House sue states over AI laws

12 Days of Broadband

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.

Policyband

FCC Should Consider Reallocating NPR, PBS Spectrum If Stations Start to Fail, Media Watchdog Says

Center for American Rights seeks Notice of Inquiry to see if PBS and NPR can prove having a viable long-term business model

BEAD

164 State Lawmakers Urge Release of Billions in Obligated BEAD Funds

Withholding more than $20 billion in funds defies Congress’s mandate, lawmakers warn.

Satellite

Entner: Amazon’s Steep LEO Deployment Gap Needs a Waiver to Succeed

Amazon must scale from 180 satellites to above 1,600 by mid-2026, as Starlink exceeds 8,000 in orbit.

12 Days of Broadband

Data Centers Dramatically Drive Up Energy Needs

AI exposed the limits of the U.S. grid, and nuclear power became Washington’s answer.

enforcement

AT&T Wants Supreme Court to Find FCC Forfeiture Process Invalid

Verizon and the FCC have also asked justices to resolve a circuit split on the issue.

Starlink

Bid Aims to Expand L-Band Into Direct-to-Device Connectivity

The plan repurposes more than 40 megahertz for low-Earth orbit broadband.

FCC

Brookings Panelists: AI Stack Already Showing Signs of Market Concentration

Former FCC Chair Tom Wheeler warned that two-thirds of AI compute is controlled by three companies.

Fiber

T-Mobile Leaning on Fixed Wireless for Broadband Ambitions

AT&T CEO John Stankey said the company was still all-in on fiber.