Is the FCC an Independent Agency? Legal Experts Say Yes
Experts dispute FCC Chairman Brendan Carr's denial of agency independence
Latest
Feds Allow Big Tech to Plug Data Centers Right Into Power Plants
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's Thursday order could be a blueprint for Trump administration requests to ensure that data centers get power as quickly as possible.
FCC Sets June 2026 Auction Date for AWS-3 Spectrum, Expands Robocall Rules
Carr said agency was not independent: 'Any FCC commissioner can be fired by the president for any reason, or no reason at all'
FCC Must Prioritize Public Interest in Future Spectrum Auctions, Senators Say
Sen. Schumer and colleagues push FCC to put consumer protections first in upcoming allocations
Wicker, Capito Introduce Bill to Ensure Use of Non-Deployment Funds
The bill would allow states to spend the money on wholesale fiber, workforce development, and mobile wireless infrastructure, among other things.
U.S. Spectrum Sharing Cast as Strategic Edge Against China
Bubley warned the United States must sell its spectrum-sharing philosophy abroad before the 2027 World Radiocommunication Conference
Trump Media to Merge with Nuclear Fusion Company that Wants to Power AI
Fusion technology has been seen as a long way off but tech companies view it as a promising way of powering their energy-hungry AI data centers.
FCC Chairman Carr Was Ready for Senate Democrats' Partisan Gong Show Led by Markey
Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) joined the pile on by releasing a communications pricing report filled with partisan half-truths and bogus statistical inferences blaming Carr for fueling inflation
New BEAD Rules Subject to Congressional Review, GAO Finds
Congress should have received a report before the rules were issued, the watchdog said.
Senators Press FCC Chair for First Time Since Kimmel Controversy
Senators confront Carr on broadcast influence, consolidation, and FCC independence
12 Days of Broadband Covered Spectrum, AI Infrastructure, BEAD and Affordability
Leaders from the Vernonburg Group, Ookla, NextNav and Broadband Breakfast discussed linkages between spectrum, AI, BEAD and affordability.
Fiber Broadband Association Says 11.8 Million New Fiber Passings in 2025
In a separate study, Ookla found median fixed wireless speeds from the mobile carriers decreased in 2025.
After Losing Restraining Order Fight, T-Mobile Expands Online Switching Tool
AT&T had asked a judge to block a beta version of the tool that asked prospective customers to log into their accounts with other carriers.
Bipartisan Senators Want to Keep Non-Deployment Funds
Six GOP Senators signed on to a Tuesday letter to the NTIA.
Sen. Warren Targets Nexstar-TEGNA as 'Presumptively Illegal' in Violating FCC's 39% Cap
In their letter to the FCC and Justice Department, Several Capitol Hill Democrats Addressed None of the Issues Driving the Merger, Such as the Need to Gain Scale to Battle Big Tech and Big Media
FCC Told to Deny or Condition EchoStar Waivers Tied to SpaceX Spectrum Transfer
Petitioners warn waivers may undermine terrestrial buildout requirements and strand spectrum
mergers
California Public Utilities Judge Seeks Diversity Goals in Verizon Merger
An administrative judge at the CPUC recommended approval, but only with extra DEI requirements.
Public Safety
House Lawmakers Push for Upgraded 911 Networks
Bills propose federal grants for next-gen 911, enhanced satellite alerts, and improved FCC reporting
USF
Universal Service Fund Contribution Factor Projected at 37.6% in 2026
Believe it or not, that 37.6 percent is down from the current 38.1 percent.
Spectrum
Budget Law’s Spectrum Auction Mandate Raises Stakes for Wi-Fi, CBRS
The legislation would task the NTIA with finding about 500 megahertz and the FCC with finding another 300 megahertz for auction.
12 Days of Broadband
America Loses Dish, a National Wireless Carrier, in 2025
Is the EchoStar saga a success story for spectrum entrepreneurship, or cautionary tale about consolidation in wireless?
Policyband
Exclusive Interview with Nexstar Chairman and CEO Perry Sook
Sook says local TV stations need regulatory freedom enjoyed by Big Tech and legacy media giants: ‘It’s going to be necessary to have consolidation to survive.'
Spectrum
American Tower: Dish Not Forced to Sell Spectrum
The tower company is asking a judge to prevent Dish from exiting its lease after major spectrum sales.
Free Speech
FCC Chairman Faces Scrutiny Ahead of Wednesday Senate Oversight Hearing
Groups call on senators to probe Brendan Carr’s use of public interest and news distortion policies
AI
Militant Groups Are Experimenting With AI, Risks Expected to Grow
Washington has responded with calls to investigate how militant groups are using AI and encourage tech companies to share more about how products are potentially being misused.
enforcement
CTIA, Chamber of Commerce Want FCC Forfeiture Process Struck Down
The Supreme Court will deliberate Jan. 9 on whether to weigh in on the issue.
Digital Inclusion
FCC’s Order Raising Inmate Call Rates Faces Federal Court Appeals
Prison advocacy group asks Third Circuit to overturn rate changes
12 Days of Broadband
2025 Was a Year of More BEAD Turmoil
Based on tentative results, about 65% of BEAD locations are in line for fiber. Another 22% will get satellite, and 10% will get fixed wireless.
Policyband
Center for American Rights Funds Media Campaign Favoring Repeal of FCC’s 39% Cap
CAR says the 39% Cap is stifling free markets and failing to check the power of Big Tech and Big Hollywood
AI
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.
Satellite
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.
permitting
FCC Expedites Comcast Pole Attachment Dispute Against Appalachian Power
Comcast says utility’s policy could delay construction to roughly 13,000 Virginia locations.
