States Deemphasize Local and Rural Focus After BEAD Restructuring, Report Finds
Kaptivate analysis finds some states’ references to rural America dropped 80 to 100 percent
Latest
Five More State BEAD Approvals
Idaho, Massachusetts, Minnesota, North Carolina, and Utah had their final proposals approved.
Georgia Regulators Approve Huge Electric Generation Increase for Data Centers
The approval follows recent elections where two Democrats won seats on the commission. Those Democrats oppose the plan but don't take office until January.
Universal Service Fund Working Group Looking for FCC Briefing
Lawmakers are considering how best to reform the fund.
More Lawmakers Call for Terrestrial GPS Backup
Four Republicans warn FCC to proceed with caution as it explores GPS alternatives
Broadband Industry Likes New Non-Deployment Bill
The SUCCESS for BEAD Act would allow more spending on infrastructure, but didn’t specify adoption or affordability efforts.
ISP Consolidation Success
Improve your business case by Optimizing your Infrastructure and Leverage Each Brand’s Unique Strength.
Anna ‘Aesop’ Gomez Keeps Telling Her Favorite First Amendment Fable – Fox29
FCC Democrats led by Chair Jessica Rosenworcel pointed a license revocation bazooka at the head of a Fox TV station in Philly during the 2024 campaign. But Gomez likes to forget about that one.
Is the FCC an Independent Agency? Legal Experts Say Yes
Experts dispute FCC Chairman Brendan Carr's denial of agency independence
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
NTIA
New BEAD Rules Subject to Congressional Review, GAO Finds
Congress should have received a report before the rules were issued, the watchdog said.
Free Speech
Senators Press FCC Chair for First Time Since Kimmel Controversy
Senators confront Carr on broadcast influence, consolidation, and FCC independence
Broadband Mapping and Data
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.
Wireless
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.
BEAD
Bipartisan Senators Want to Keep Non-Deployment Funds
Six GOP Senators signed on to a Tuesday letter to the NTIA.
Policyband
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
Spectrum
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.
