Briefs
AT&T Cuts Home Broadband Price for Low-Income Americans
Families who qualify for federal assistance will receive a $25 discount.
AT&T
AT&T is one of the largest telecommunications companies in the United States.
Public Safety
T-Mobile Wants Even More Oversight for FirstNet Authority
The House passed a reauthorization bill that would give NTIA more authority over the agency.
Spectrum
Astound Suing Dish over Contract Fees
EchoStar insisted it was forced to sell licenses to ‘buyers approved by the FCC.’
Earnings
T-Mobile Adds More Than 500,000 Broadband Subs
The company is no longer reporting individual subscriber metrics.
Public Safety
FirstNet Showcases Disaster Response Network
Officials said the public safety network is adapting to more frequent and severe disasters.
New Hampshire
TDS Telecom to Acquire Granite State Communications
The transaction is expected to yield 11,000 new fiber locations in New Hampshire.
Satellite
FCC Grants AST SpaceMobile’s Direct-to-Cell Request
The satellite company can offer service with AT&T and Verizon spectrum, and operate up to 248 satellites.
Earnings
AT&T Adds Equal Number of Fiber and Fixed Wireless Subs: 292,000
CEO John Stankey said the company might have wholesale relationships with more than one satellite provider in the future.
Public Safety
House Passes FirstNet Reauthorization Bill
The Senate will now have to take up the issue.
Privacy
Congress Divided Over Renewal of U.S. Surveillance Program as Deadline Nears
Lawmakers clash over proposals to renew a controversial U.S. surveillance authority expiring April 20.
5G Wireless
Ookla Report: mmWave 5G Networks are Growing
Ookla’s speed test surveys indicate that wireless providers are adding mmWave5G capacity around the country.
enforcement
AT&T, Verizon Insist to Supreme Court FCC Fine Orders are Binding
The companies want a $100 million refund ‘at the very least.’ Oral arguments are scheduled for April 21.
Drones
Georgia AG Chris Carr Ready to Shoot at Drones to Stop Prison Cellphone Smuggling
Prison contraband crackdown effort expands beyond jamming as drones draw scrutiny.
Expert Opinion
Dean Bubley: The Danger of High-Power CBRS Proposals
A new study warns that proposed higher-power rules could undermine its thriving shared-use ecosystem to benefit a few large carriers.
Rural
Ookla: U.S. Digital Divide Narrows in 43 States
Aggressive broadband expansion in late 2025 extended fiber access to 60 percent of U.S. homes.
FCC
FCC Opens Inquiry Into Communications Marketplace
Biennial report will assess marketplace competition, identifying barriers and regulatory needs.
