Congress - Broadband Breakfast

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

Jeffrey Westling: A Floppy-Disk Fund for a Broadband World

The USF faces mounting financial and legal challenges, prompting calls for Congress to overhaul its outdated funding model

Midterms Could Change the Politics of AI

If Republicans suffer heavy losses, it could push the party toward tougher AI legislation, panelists said

Data Center

Data Center Bill Falls Short in Senate as Lawmakers Take Final Votes Before the Midterms

The measure needed 60 votes to advance, but fell short, 57-43.

Congress

Time for New Telecom Act, Panelists Say

A new framework should account for technological evolution, experts said at a Benton event

Congress

House Commerce Committee Clears Five Telecom Bills

The committee amended the SAT Streamlining Act based on FCC and industry feedback

Expert Opinion

Nate Karren: BEAD Saving Can Be Lifesaving… If We Let It

NTIA should let states put leftover BEAD funds toward Next Generation 9-1-1 upgrades, no new money from Congress required.

Cybersecurity

Scams in the U.S. Are at a Record High, Yet Most Victims Get No Help

Although both the Trump administration and Congress are pursuing new options, victims still have little recourse.

Congress

House Subcommittee Advances Broadband Bills

Lawmakers are still working with stakeholders and the FCC to refine a bill on streamlining satellite licensing

Congress

House Commerce Panel to Markup Six Telecom Bills

Bills include the PLAN for Broadband Act and SAT Streamlining Act

Expert Opinion

Bhavin Gandecha: The Permitting Bills Won’t Fix What’s Actually Broken

Congress keeps asking how to build faster, but nobody has defined how much delay or funding variance the system will tolerate before escalation is automatic.

Funding

Task Force Calls for Congress to Cement USF’s Legal, Financial Foundations

Report advocates modernization as FCC considers retrenchment across major programs

FCC

FCC’s Gomez Warns Satellite Deployment Is No Substitute for Universal Service

Gomez’s comments came just after Disney filed a lawsuit against the commission Tuesday morning.

Expert Opinion

Bartlett Cleland: The Market Is Already Solving Dead Zones; BEAD Shouldn't Fund Them

Now that the big three carriers are jointly building satellite direct-to-device coverage, BEAD should stop chasing rural mobile and stick to connecting unserved homes.