AST SpaceMobile Gets Green Light for Direct-to-Device Testing

The 30-day authorization covers non-commercial testing using up to 100 handsets.

Charlie Ergen to Acquire Controlling Stake in MobileX: Report

MobileX ‘has the cellular part, just need the satellite part,’ CEO says

Supreme Court Denies Verizon Bid to Pursue Refund on FCC Fine

The wireless carriers are each seeking refunds on a combined $200 million in penalties

FCC Agenda Targets November to Finalize Wireless Siting Rules

The agency’s 2026 regulatory agenda points to upcoming action on permitting, spectrum and legacy telecom rules.

Broadband Breakfast on August 19, 2026 – 150 Years of American Telecommunications: The Online Course

The course includes 35 lessons on America’s communications and information technology networks, broken into six modules.

Most E-Rate Funds Spent in Highest-Need Areas, Researcher Says

In fiscal year 2024, the program spent 62 percent of funding on broadband subscriptions and 35 percent on networking gear

Broadband Breakfast on September 2, 2026 – Global AI Regulation

This BroadbandLive discussion will examine the emerging global AI governance landscape and the growing tension between regulatory oversight and technological innovation.

States Take Meta to Trial in California in The Biggest Fight Yet Over Social Media Harms to Children

The trial set to begin Tuesday in federal court in Oakland, California.

DuJuan McCoy Slams National Association of Black Journalists for Giving Him ‘Troubling’ Award at Gala Event in Atlanta

NABJ hands African-American McCoy, CEO of Circle City Broadcasting, a 'Thumbs Down’ award over vaguely described concerns about his treatment of Black journalists at WISH‑TV in Indianapolis

FCC Pleased With Pace of Broadband Deployments

The agency's 706 report did not include analysis of broadband affordability or adoption

Team Telecom Probes T-Mobile’s $2B Oak Hill Fiber Deal

The FCC has said it will not act on the underlying license applications until Team Telecom completes its review.

Mark Vasconi: A Growing Reality Check for BEAD

I’m a former State Broadband Officer. Here's what other SBOs are saying about BEAD.

Some Smaller ISPs Feeling Pressure to Bundle

National wireless carriers and cable operators are leaning into convergence

Prysmian Doubles Down on U.S. Fiber With $1.2B Expansion

Claremont, N.C., will get the bulk of the investment spanning facilities in three states.

States Can’t Unilaterally Alter BEAD Contracts, NTIA Says

The agency asked states to reduce satellite awards, but some had already signed their agreements

NT&T’s Collapse Forces Thousands in Five States to Find New Phone and Internet Providers Fast

An FCC filing shows the Nebraska carrier will shut down all services by Sept. 30 after wholesale partners cut off access, leaving 3,756 customers with only weeks to transition.

mergers

CPUC Approves $34.5 Billion Charter-Cox Merger

The agency adopted settlement agreements between the companies and consumer advocates with few additional conditions

Data Center

Texas Governor Halts Data Center Grid Connections Pending Audit

The data center interconnection freeze is separate from the state's halting the disbursements of billions in broadband funding.

permitting

With House Effort Stalled, NCTA Presses Senate on Broadband Permitting

Cable group asks Senate committee leaders to include broadband reforms in any permitting package.

Infrastructure

Wichita Internet Exchange Point Set to Begin Operations in Coming Weeks

A partnership with an AI compute tenant is providing the cash to build more rural IXPs

BEAD

Texas Halts BEAD Disbursements as New Comptroller Recasts Broadband Office

A broadband mess in Texas

Dustin Burrows

Broadband Grants Paused as Critics Allege Favoritism Toward Elon Musk’s Starlink

An audit is underway, but no completion date has been set.

Mountain Connect

Watch Out for Pole Disputes, Environmental Permits, Experts say

One engineer suggested outside consultants to support local permitting agencies

Expert Opinion

Bartlett Cleland: The Market Is Already Solving Dead Zones; BEAD Shouldn't Fund Them

Now that the big three carriers are jointly building satellite direct-to-device coverage, BEAD should stop chasing rural mobile and stick to connecting unserved homes.

Policyband

Texas Puts BEAD Funding on Hold Over Allegations of Favoritism to Starlink

About $1.2 billion in limbo as the Texas Broadband Development Office deals with criticism, apparently encouraged by Starlink rival Amazon Leo, over how broadband deployment funds were awarded

Community Broadband

Massachusetts’ East Longmeadow Votes to Fund $43.5 Million Network

Voters rejected a smaller proposal in neighboring Longmeadow in May.

Mountain Connect

BEAD Weariness and AI Ambition Collide at Mountain Connect

BEAD delays left Mountain Connect panelists weary, while AI pushes compute toward an edge rural economics struggle to reach.

Fiber

How Corning is Making Fiber Available for BEAD Winners

Fellow U.S. fiber manufacturer Psyrmian announced Wednesday it was spending $1 billion to expand its capacity at four facilities

permitting

Appeals Court Sides With Fiber Provider in Railroad Crossing Dispute

Seventh Circuit says railroads can’t charge fiber providers for access without the property rights to do so

Public Safety

Verizon Offers $25K Reward to Catch Suspects Behind California Fiber Cuts

Fiber cuts are disrupting internet, emergency services and other critical communications

Policyband

LPTV Stations Pitch FCC on New Datacasting Plan That Preserves Free TV

Unlike HC2 Broadcasting, XGN/X1 Mobile and Tyche Media promise to transmit at least one free over‑the‑air 720p program stream. Proposal would not be open to LPTV stations with cable must carry rights

Spectrum

SpaceX Wants More Spectrum for Direct-to-Device

It named NextNav’s proposal, which the security industry reiterated opposition to.