People
Senate Commerce to Vote on Thumann’s Nomination Nov. 18
If confirmed, she would give Republicans a 3-1 majority at the FCC
FCC
Luján Wants Carr Testifying ‘Once a Month’ Under Dem Congress
Danielle Thumann Severs, a top Carr advisor, was asked about the agency’s inquiry into the E-Rate program
2026 Midterms
Democratic Congress Could Put New Pressure on FCC Chairman Brendan Carr
Democrats' new congressional majority could increase scrutiny of the FCC's regulatory decisions
Congress
USTelecom Wants Broadband Permitting Reform, Big Tech USF Contribution in Next Congress
Wiley Rein attorneys said Democratic control would lead to oversight hearing and investigations, but wouldn’t significantly alter the FCC’s agenda
Expert Opinion
Rachel Goodman: Baseless Election Interference Threats from the FCC
The FCC has consistently affirmed that it has no authority to dictate how broadcasters report polls or election results.
People
House Dems Want Thumann Nomination Paired with Gomez Renomination
Thumann’s confirmation hearing has not been rescheduled after it was postponed in September
Briefs
AT&T to Bring Back Customer Service Jobs to U.S. by 2027
AT&T highlights career paths beyond a four-year degree
Infrastructure
FCC Circulating Order to Preempt California Copper Retirement Rules
AT&T asked for the move earlier this year
Cybersecurity
FCC Votes to Block Chinese Labs from Testing U.S. Equipment
The agency also alleged a Lifeline provider fraudulently enrolled deceased subscribers
Spectrum
FCC Clears Slate of Spectrum Items, Including Proposal to Expand Direct-to-Device
The agency didn’t act on a request from SpaceX to consider satellite service in spectrum targeted by the NextNav petition
FCC
FCC to Vote on Prison Cellphone Jamming Rules in November
The proposal would give correctional officials another tool to stop inmates from using smuggled phones to coordinate crimes
FCC
Carr Expected to Advance FCC Prison Cellphone Jamming Rules
Correctional officials want the FCC to approve prison cellphone jamming by year’s end
mergers
FCC Clears Amazon-Globalstar Deal
Privacy
Judges Probe Bounds of Congressional Review Act
A full panel of Sixth Circuit judges reheard arguments on whether 2023 FCC data breach rules were blocked by the law
Spectrum
Wireless Carriers Opposed to FCC Plan for Direct-to-Device in 5G Bands
T-Mobile CEO Srini Gopalan met with FCC Chairman Brendan Carr last week to argue against satellite use in two prime bands
USF
Schools, Libraries Defend $2.5 Billion E-Rate Program to FCC
Industry groups also supported continued funding amid concerns from FCC Chairman Brendan Carr
