BEAD
Service Providers and California Officials Warn BEAD Builds Won’t Solve Affordability
Providers cited payment instability and post-construction costs, while officials urged an Affordability Connectivity Program replacement.
universal service
FCC to Vote on Lifeline Reform Next Month
FCC chair says only Americans ‘living and here legally’ should qualify for Lifeline benefits.
California
California Expands Broadband Access with $21 Million in Last Mile Funding
Four grants will benefit nearly 64,000 residents, businesses and institutions
Gigabit Competition Could Save Californians $1B Per Year, Says CPUC
Locations with more gigabit providers tend to have lower promotional prices, report finds.
mergers
California Public Utilities Commission Approves Verizon-Frontier Merger
The deal is now expected to close on Jan. 20, and diversity policies issue resolved.
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.
permitting
Wireless Industry Wants FCC to Cap Local Permitting Fees, Impose Shot Clocks
State and local governments are concerned about losing authority.
Digital Inclusion
Libraries and Schools Urge FCC to Restore Off-Campus Wi-Fi Support
Backing petitions for reconsideration, advocates say E-Rate rollback threatens students’ connectivity.
FCC
California Regulator Asks FCC to Reverse Course on Lifeline Revocation
State regulators warn 1.77 million Californians could face service disruptions
California
Golden State Fiber Poised to Connect 31,000 Locations in Rural California
Counties secure $110 million in bond financing and $185 million in state grants to expand rural fiber access
mergers
Verizon Concerned About Potential Deployment Requirements for Frontier Deal
A CPUC judge set an oral argument date of Jan. 12, 2026.
mergers
California Public Utilities Judge Seeks Diversity Goals in Verizon Merger
An administrative judge at the CPUC recommended approval, but only with extra DEI requirements.
BEAD
California Announces Grant Winners With BEAD Final Proposal
The state would spend most of its $1.86 billion allocation, and about 44 percent of its 339,000 eligible locations would get fiber.
permitting
Cities in California and Illinois Challenge FCC’s Preemptive Reforms
Local governments warned wildfire regions need stronger resiliency protections.
FCC
California Petitions FCC to Restore Funding for Off-Campus Wi-Fi
FCC’s September rollback of hotspot and school bus Wi-Fi support ‘abrupt and unfounded,’ CPUC says.
mergers
Verizon Pushes 2025 Approval of Frontier Deal, Defends DEI Commitments
The carrier is looking to sell corporate bonds to help fund the acquisition.
