Nvidia Confirms it Will Spend $13 Billion on Hugging Face AI Software Platform

CEO Jensen Huang confirmed the long-rumored sale in a Thursday blog post, and that Nvidia will keep Hugging Face as an open platform

Civil Rights Groups Urge Halt to South Africa Data Center Boom Amid Water and Power Fears

The country is positioning itself as Africa's main data hub, attracting global tech companies like Amazon and Microsoft.

More Non-Deployment Guidance Not Coming Soon, NTIA Says

State officials were glad to secure coverage for more locations but had mixed feelings about a new policy notice

Rural ISPs to FCC: Preserve Rural Broadband Subsidy

SpaceX wants the agency to shutter its High Cost fund

All 56 Federal Broadband Plans Approved. Construction Comes Next

Illinois was the final state approved under the federal government’s landmark broadband program. Michigan, Hawaii, Virginia and California are among many states now building.

Who’s Battling Disney for the FCC? Judge Jeanine!

The U.S. Attorney, recently in President Trump’s doghouse for dropping vandalism charges in D.C., told a federal judge her court does not have jurisdiction to hear Disney’s injunction request.

FCC Commissioner Trusty Outlines Four Principles for Communications Policy

Trusty emphasized the importance of infrastructure investment, competition, regulatory flexibility, and international cooperation

Industry Backs ISP Challenge to Minnesota City Permit Rules

Trade groups have supported multiple preemption petitions at the FCC

Grain Management Completes Ritter-Great Plains Merger, Launches Rightfiber

Heath Simpson, who led Ritter, will serve as CEO of Rightfiber

FCC Opens Rural ‘Innovation Zones’ to Speed Up 5G and Ag‑Tech Testing

The initiative gives researchers expanded access to experimental spectrum, with Iowa State joining the program as a dedicated hub

FCC Proposes Robocall Scorecard to Measure Provider Performance

Agency considering a new way to measure how effectively phone providers are tackling illegal robocalls

Some Remaining BEAD Funds to be Used on New Bidding Round

NTIA said it would outline other allowable uses in a future update

TDS Withdraws Bid to Acquire Array

The company will hang on to its existing 82 percent stake

FCC to Spend About $400 Million to Fund Agency in Fiscal 2026

The FCC's proposed fiscal 2026 budget would support the agency's oversight responsibilities.

Prominent Republicans Continue to Question USF’s Future without Reforms

Former Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-Wash.), who led the Energy and Commerce Committee for one term, calls for USF’s overhaul before lawmakers consider new revenue sources

A Looming ‘Tokenocracy’ Threatens Regulators Ability to Govern AI

Panelists say the evaluation gap, not geopolitics, is the binding constraint on global AI rules

Spectrum

International Airlines Seek Rebates for Gear Upgrades Tied to FCC Auction Rules

The FCC said only domestic airlines would get rebates after the upper C-band auction next year

Privacy

Telecom Industry Groups to Sixth Circuit: Overturn FCC Data Breach Rules

After a three-judge panel upheld the rules, the full court will rehear the case Oct. 21

Cybersecurity

Scams in the U.S. Are at a Record High, Yet Most Victims Get No Help

Although both the Trump administration and Congress are pursuing new options, victims still have little recourse.

Infrastructure

Fidium Breaking Ground on BEAD Work, Signing Hyperscaler Deals

The company is still aiming for 2 million fiber passings by the end of 2027

Pole Attachments

Utility Group Warns ‘Minor’ Pole Attachments Can Create Major Risks for Linemen

Objects left on utility poles can be dangerous for crews working to maintain power systems

Tasha Boerner

California Bill Creating Independent Oversight Of CPUC Heads To Governor

The measure comes amid growing scrutiny of how California regulates utilities and protects consumers

Satellite

SpaceX Unlikely to Buy Carrier, Build Macro Network: Analyst

The satellite company’s executives have said they expected to eat into mobile carriers’ market share

Policyband

Nick Jeffery Ready to Resume His ‘Fiber-Powered’ Career as Charter’s New COO

In a LinkedIn post outlining his priorities as No. 2 to CEO Chris Winfrey, Jeffery set a high bar for himself and the company: ‘The Great Cable Comeback starts here’

Telecom 150

The Kingsbury Commitment Promised Competition. AT&T Got 98% of Long Distance

In the illustration, J.P. Morgan is depicted as an Octopus trainer, AT&T President Theodore Vail says 'perfectly abhorrent,' and the dog, representing independent companies, says 'I'm next.'

Social Media

Aaron Sorkin Hits Refresh on Facebook in 'The Social Reckoning' – Fall Movie Preview

Sony debuted the film’s trailer the same day that Meta agreed to pay up to $18 billion in penalties over claims it endangered children.

Starlink

KeyBanc: Starlink’s Talk of Deep Price Cuts Unlikely to Disrupt Terrestrial Broadband ISPs

Wireless

EchoStar Says Subsidiaries Should be Able to Draw on FCC Trust

Dish Wireless and Dish DBS are planning to split their bankruptcy cases as Dish Wireless’s drags

Hunter Deeley

Carr Names Hunter Deeley as FCC Enforcement Bureau Chief

Deeley is taking over for Patrick Webre.

Congress

House Subcommittee Advances Broadband Bills

Lawmakers are still working with stakeholders and the FCC to refine a bill on streamlining satellite licensing

AI

For a Century, Journalists Have Had a Voluntary Ethics Code. Editors Are Giving it An AI-era Reboot

The SPJ believes these updates are crucial for maintaining journalistic integrity in a rapidly changing industry.

Expert Opinion

Chad Johnston: After 26 Years Building Fiber Networks, Here's How My Thinking Has Changed

A fiber veteran argues there's no single right architecture. Rising costs and scarce labor mean operators should design for long-term flexibility, not habit.