NTIA
New Rules for Tribal Broadband Program Planned for Spring 2026, NTIA Says
The agency said no more awards would be made under current rules, and that previously announced awards would not be rescinded.
Funding
Cantwell, Schatz Press NTIA on Nearly $1B in Undistributed Tribal Broadband Grants
$980 million in funds remain frozen; $294 million in announced awards still undistributed.
Democracy
Bipartisan Senate Bill Would Revive FTC’s Click-to-Cancel Rule
Lawmakers want to make it easy to drop cable and Internet plans.
AI
Data Center Investment for AI Critical in Race Against China: Altman, Tech Execs
By 2028, data centers could consume up to 12% of the nation’s electricity.
Health
Lawmakers Reintroduce Bill to Permanently Expand Medicare Telehealth Access
Covid-era flexibilites are set to expire Sept. 30.
Digital Inclusion
Senators Push Bill to Restrict Minors' Social Media Use
Public interest group warned the bill violates First Amendment rights.
Public Safety
Senators Urge Biden to Review Subsea Cable Security
Lawmakers stressed subsea internet cables are vulnerable to attack by Russia, China, or other hostile actors.
X (Twitter)
Senate Passes Bills Aimed at Protecting Children Online
'Government mandates and censorship will not protect children online,' said Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., one of the 'No' votes.
FCC
Groups Oppose Bill Linking E-Rate Funds to Content Filtering
The bill would also bar kids under 13 from creating social media accounts.
FCC
Tribal Spectrum Licensing, Call for More ACP Funding, $32 Million for West Virginia Broadband
FCC seeking comments to facilitate better broadband connectivity in tribal communities.
Marsha Blackburn
Rosenworcel Backs Foreign ID Bill, Parler To Be Acquired, T-Mobile Best Mobile Wireless Speeds
‘Consumers deserve to trust that public airwaves aren’t being leased without their knowledge to foreign governments.’
FCC
Senate Indian Affairs Committee Chair Takes FCC to Task for Communication With Tribes
‘You need to get a little better about talking to and listening to native communities,” the chairman told the FCC.
Privacy
Led by Wyden, Democrats Call on NTIA to Reform Privacy Standards for .US Domains
The Democratic legislator called on NTIA end the automatic disclosure of .US web domain users’ personal information.
FCC
Senators, Citing Funding Influx, Press Need to Confirm Rosenworcel
Senators pointed to FCC’s initiatives on mapping, which will need to be good to maximize federal funds for broadband.
Joe Biden
Lisa Hone to National Economic Council, EBB Enrolls 3.2 Million Homes, Oregon Network, Data Sharing Request
FCC’s Lisa Hone appointed to NEC, EBB signs up 3.2 million homes, Oregon finishes network, senators request data sharing.
Benton
Major Change on the Horizon? Explaining the Affordable, Accessible Internet for All Act
December 2, 2020 – As House GOP leaders ask the Government Accountability Office to audit the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) ReConnect program because of concerns federal funds are being used to “overbuild,” Democratic leaders in the House and Senate have filed legislation that aims to build
