NATE
Todd Schlekeway: Broadband's Biggest Obstacle Is the Permit Counter
A Minnesota block lost its fiber over a $90,000 permit bill. The FCC can fix that.
FCC
Education Groups Urge FCC to Drop Questions About Ending E-Rate
Coalition argues FCC lacks authority to terminate or narrow school and library broadband subsidies
Spectrum
Cruz not Sold on T-Mobile-Grain Deal
The FCC should only approve the deal with ‘specific, enforceable deployment requirements,’ he wrote in a letter to the agency
Spectrum
Rural Carriers, Consumer Groups Want Verizon-Array Spectrum Deal Reviewed
Separately, the Rural Wireless Association also raised concerns about the proposed T-Mobile-Grain deal.
Pole Attachments
FCC Taking a Look at State Pole Attachment Laws
An inquiry asked how the agency could make state rules ‘more transparent and effective’
FCC
FCC Moves to Strip Chinese Lab of Telecom Equipment Vetting Power
SLG-CPC conceded that it had submitted falsified reports on telecommunications equipment.
Cybersecurity
Trade Groups Don’t Want Broad Interconnection Ban for Chinese Firms
The FCC sought comment on blocking telecom carriers from connecting with entities on its covered list.
Spectrum
EchoStar Holding off on $138 Million Interest Payment, Waiting on AT&T Spectrum Proceeds
DOJ is also looking to remove its requirement that EchoStar operate a mobile network, a remnant of the T-Mobile-Sprint merger.
Funding
FCC E-Rate Inquiry to Ask About Reducing Funding, Expanding School Internet Filters
The agency’s proposal on local permitting shot clocks would ask about extending them to 'commingled' telecom and broadband infrastructure.
USF
Experts at Free State Event Warn Against Expanded Federal Role in Broadband, Media Regulation
Speakers at the foundation’s 20th anniversary luncheon criticized the Universal Service Fund and questioned the FCC’s broadcast public-interest standard.
Digital Inclusion
Trade Groups Push FCC to Keep Lifeline Verification With USAC
NTCA, NRECA say new identity-check and Social Security number collection duties should not be shifted to individual carriers.
Funding
FCC to Vote on ‘Top-to-Bottom’ E-Rate Review, Local Permitting Shot Clocks at June Meeting
Also on the agenda: subsea cable security licensing, 911 reliability, and emergency alerts.
Spectrum
First FCC Spectrum Auction in Four Years Brings in $54 Million on Day One
Is SpaceX or EchoStar joining the carriers in bidding?
Wireless
India-Based Call Center Group Pushes Back Against Proposed FCC Rules
The company is expressing concern over the FCC's proposal to onshore foreign call centers.
California
CPUC Seeking Comment on FCC Copper Preemption Order
The state wants input on whether federal rules impact its regulations.
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.
