The new law requires the FCC to establish a vetting process for USF applicants.

Approximately $27 million in federal grants were made available.

Early signs of a massive federal broadband expansion effort are beginning to reach local communities.

Measure targets accountability in how federal broadband funds are awarded

Elmshaeuser says program remains central as federal broadband funding expands

They included the Senate-approved Rural Broadband Protection Act.

Ookla’s latest report reveals 24.5% space satellite growth between July 2025 and March 2026.

The state broadband office hopes to use BEAD non-deployment dollars to expand infrastructure, 5G, and workforce programs.

The agriculture department proposed canceling $40 million in unused ReConnect funds in 2027 budget.

Aggressive broadband expansion in late 2025 extended fiber access to 60 percent of U.S. homes.

The FCC's unanimous pole attachment ruling is a promising sign of bipartisan pragmatism in broadband policy, the author writes.

Increased competition in already-served markets could leave rural communities behind.

Devices will be available at public centers or offered through free lending programs for rural and underserved communities.

The infrastructure powering hyperscale data centers risks bypassing the very communities that host it.

As ‘app fatigue’ grows, rural broadband customers are turning to bundled services, raising the stakes for rural providers.

Officials say the effort targets long underserved areas across the rural parish.

The Bishop Paiute Tribe is the first to access the state’s $3.2 billion broadband effort spanning 8,000 miles of fiber.

Here’s what 30 governors said about broadband expansion, AI growth, and online child safety.

The four introduced bills look to expand broadband access, modernize utilities, and improve USDA programs.

The National Digital Inclusion Alliance has been fighting to restore a $2.75 billion digital equity program.

The act directs GAO to study satellite broadband use across 13 states.

Industry leaders push for faster distribution to avoid defaults, delays, and efforts to close the digital divide

The state’s new law, taking effect Oct. 1, will require a low-cost plan at $40 per month.

Comcast is an awardee in the Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment program across 34 states

Mobile data prices fell 97 percent over 10 years, dropping from $3 per gigabyte to nine cents

GCI receives 40% of its $1 billion in annual revenue from the Universal Service Fund

A vote on HR 5419 is scheduled for Tuesday

The bipartisan bill will now move to the full House Energy and Commerce Committee.

Romano has been with the trade group since 2010, the same year Shirley Bloomfield became CEO

McClain Delaney talked social media age verification, BEAD program and rural broadband access.

The introduced bill could potentially harm Arizona’s small ISPs and rural communities, the trade group argued.

The senator met with state and local leaders in Montpelier to discuss federal priorities aimed at strengthening rural communities.

The legislation directs GAO to study the use of satellite broadband for economic development in Appalachia.

The group said some rural providers would have few other options for middle mile service.

State office brings first of many Rescue Plan Act-funded broadband projects online.

The project will serve five Vermont towns with fiber-to-the-home by mid-2026.

Spectrum services will be available to 20,110 rural homes and businesses in North Carolina.

South Central Connect walks away from 13 census block groups.

Broadband Breakfast coverage from the INCOMPAS Policy Summit

Survey of NTCA members finds nearly nine in 10 schools, libraries, and hospitals are served by fiber.

The RAIL Act aims to stop railroad companies from blocking broadband expansion with excessive fees and permit delays.

An Ookla speed test analysis found speeds were increasing at larger WISPs, but were mostly below federal benchmarks.

NTCA’s Bloomfield worries Carr’s push for USF ‘efficiency’ could hurt rural providers

USDA's ReConnect would see about $50 million for 2026, more than the Senate had previously put forward.

During his nomination hearing, lawmakers pressed on coordinating USDA’s broadband programs and reviewing stalled energy projects.

Ontario delayed its broadband goal to 2028 amid U.S. trade tensions and construction setbacks.

Alaska ISP says all services have been fully restored to affected communities.

Delays from a railroad-crossing permit and added projects have pushed the timeline back to June 2026.

Rural America risks falling behind in the AI race without foundational infrastructure

AI's energy demands will require a 25% boost in U.S. electricity production over five years, experts warned.

The carriers say their legacy USF support has dwindled as the FCC phased out legacy programs in favor of competitive auctions.

Alaska-based firm restores data traffic after subsea fiber line was cut in January.

Witnesses pressure lawmakers to update funding model and prioritize affordability.

Says FCC broadband programs spurring deployment.

Provider now faces over $25M in penalties for defaults.

In rural America, fixed wireless access powered by CBRS is delivering fiber-like speeds at a fraction of the cost—and connecting millions who would otherwise be left behind.

Tribal Nations continue to push for better connectivity.

Project will pass fiber through island relying on DSL.

NRECA praises alignment with new law and Supreme Court ruling.

The program supports broadband expansion in rural areas where service does not exist.

Lawmakers have filed bills to improve emergency communications and provide additional funding for affected areas.

AB 470 clears Senate committee by a 9–1 vote

Repairs begin, but plan for terrestrial backup network remains on ice

Cites ‘unforeseeable site-specific geographic and economic challenges’ as reason for default

Brightspeed alone expects to receive $9.8 million

ISP still subject to financial penalties in the Cornhusker State

The company said the 41,000 locations it handed back earlier this month were the last of its commitments.

House doubles funding for rural broadband program, despite Trump proposing cuts.

The FCC had found the company wasn't capable of expanding under its $1.3 billion award, the program's largest.

Telecom giant offers no reason for relinquishments

Loans are 'a win-win situation for rural consumers and American taxpayers' because they are paid back with interest, the groups said.

More than 3,000 homes and businesses gain access to high-speed internet in rural town.

With the Trump Administration planning to cut ReConnect, rural broadband cooperatives are scrambling

ISP made $18 million on sale to Elevate.

Bipartisan caucus applauded for continuing in the new Congress.

With appropriate investments in digital infrastructure and human capital, America’s rural regions could play a much larger role in global trade.

Company petitions FCC to reduce expected penalty

The bill would codify the USDA’s existing Broadband Technical Assistance Program.

TDS has agreed to Everstream's six-month delay.

The BEAD investment offers great hope to rural America where we have been stuck in the digital divide since the beginning of the Internet age.

Removal of DEI scoring may shift broadband funds away from Tribes and disadvantaged areas.

Hensen submitted false invoices to the USDA

Hegar expects to return nearly $1 billion in BEAD money to the U.S. Treasury

Noted Constellation’s Three Mile Island restart currently a year ahead of schedule

Fiber-focused organization isn’t discouraged by Rep. Richard Hudson measure that touts ‘technology neutrality’

Delivered high-speed broadband to Wyoming, Colorado, and Montana

Richard Hudson, R-N.C., announced the SPEED for BEAD Act

Deal signed last November would have connected 15,000 homes and business

AT&T is transitioning to newer fiber optic technology and plans to retire its copper infrastructure.

The hearing is scheduled for Wednesday, March 5

Was approved in a 72-28 vote Thursday; approach to rural broadband issues was not prominently discussed in hearings.

Most of the grants will fund fiber projects.

Plan hopes to expand broadband access in rural communities

State leaders say improved mapping helped to improve rural speeds

ISP did not reach its buildout milestones in Louisiana, Nebraska, and Arizona.

Removes hurdles for rural broadband deployment projects

FCC does not seem to be affected by the bill.

High last-mile deployment costs, permitting delays, and inflationary pressures continue to hamper rural broadband expansion.

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