Expert Opinion
Samantha Schartman: AI Will Widen the Digital Divide — Cross-Sector Co-Investment Could Provide a Bridge
We need new ways to fund programs, and the Alt Funding Field Guide makes the case that digital inclusion creates economic value
enforcement
Companies Might Consider Nonpayment After Supreme Court Upheld FCC Fine Powers: Experts
The court preserved the agency’s power to issue fines, but said those forfeiture orders were nonbinding.
Spectrum
EchoStar Aiming to Sell Remaining Terrestrial Spectrum by Sept. 2028
The company said it would commit to doing so if the FCC waived buildout deadlines for the licenses.
Spectrum
EchoStar Agrees to Drop Suit over AWS-3 Auction
The company would still be on the hook for a shortfall payment if the auction fetches less than $2.9 billion.
Satellite
Might SpaceX Want an MVNO?
The major carriers have said they’re uninterested.
Earnings
Comcast Beats on Broadband Losses and Wireless Adds
The cable giant improved its year-over-year subscriber losses for the first time since the fourth quarter of 2020.
Spectrum
Federal Circuit Sends Spectrum Property Rights Case Back for More Briefing
Judges felt more information was needed to rule confidently on the issue.
Christopher Lewis
New Expert Agency May Be Necessary to Regulate Digital Economy, Say Panelists
A new agency of experts should take on the task of regulating this emerging driver of the economy, some panelists said.
Public Safety
House Lawmakers Appear Supportive of Draft FirstNet Reauthorization Bill
There was bipartisan support in both chambers for more NTIA oversight.
Broadband's Impact
They Came Not to Bury, But to Praise the Telecom Act of 1996
The biggest failure, according to panelists? The continued digital divide
Public Safety
RFK Jr. ‘Very Concerned’ About Cellphone Radiation, Launches Safety Study
Analyst Blair Levin said the inquiry was unlikely to spur new wireless regulations.
mergers
Verizon: Proposed Deployment Requirements for Frontier Deal Too Expensive
A proposed approval would require the company to deploy to all locations served by 88 rural wire centers.
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?
Spectrum
White House Wants Portions of 7 GHz Band for Licensed Use
New Street’s Blair Levin said the memo suggested CBRS was less likely to be auctioned.
BEAD
Five More State BEAD Approvals
Idaho, Massachusetts, Minnesota, North Carolina, and Utah had their final proposals approved.
BEAD
Uncertain Reactions to the Executive Order on AI and BEAD Non-Deployment Funds
Experts said tying the funding to favorable state AI laws could raise legal issues, but states weren’t certain to litigate.
