12 Days of Broadband
Universal Service Fund Survived, Faces New Legal and Political Challenges
A follow-on legal case about the USF resumed on Wednesday, Dec. 3, in the Fifth Circuit.
John Thune
Bipartisan Senate Aides Expect to Unveil USF Modernization Framework by 2026
Reform effort seeks fair contributions to the Universal Service Fund from modern internet providers.
cellular
Senate Republicans Target Big Three Carriers After FBI Obtains Lawmakers’ Phone Data
Blackburn and Hagerty press AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile over data release tied to Arctic Frost probe.
Rural
FCC’s Trusty Reports on Week-Long Visit to Alaska
Says FCC broadband programs spurring deployment.
USF
USF Working Group Relaunched
The fund's contribution factor will decrease slightly to 36 percent for the third quarter.
Congress
Senators Press Trusty on FCC Independence, Diversity, and Universal Service
Democrats warn of growing White House influence over regulators.
BEAD
Senators From Both Parties Press Roth on BEAD Changes
The nominee to head the NTIA said she would consult with stakeholders if a per-location spending cap came up.
BEAD Data
Some Red States Don’t Want Too Much Satellite for BEAD
'We’re hoping the administration's change is not just ‘Let’s give it all to satellite, and then the problem’s over,' said Montana's broadband officer.
Broadband's Impact
Thune Hands Cruz Chairman’s Gavel at Senate Commerce Committee
Cruz's agenda includes expanding private sector spectrum access to drive investment and job creation.
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.
Senate Commerce
Senate Committee Approves FCC Nominees, Despite Republican Opposition
Republican senators vote “no” for Starks and Gomez.
Infrastructure
Congress Must Prioritize Connectivity in Underserved Areas Over Higher Speeds
A House hearing debated the need for broadband and the higher speed thresholds currently before Congress.
Congress
Senators Introduce Healthcare Broadband Bill as House Companion, Proposes $2 Billion Telehealth Expansion
May 26, 2020 — On Friday, Sens. Brian Schatz, D-Hawaii, Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, John Boozman, R-Arkansas, Gary Peters, D-Michigan, Angus King, I-Maine, Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, Kevin Cramer, R-N.D., and Ed Markey, D-Mass. introduced “Health Care Broadband Expansion During COVID-19 Act,” the Senate
FCC
Senate Commerce Committee Criticizes Huawei Equipment, Considers Impact of ‘Rip and Replace’
WASHINGTON, March 7, 2020— “It always comes back to trust in the supplier themselves,” said Mike Murphy, chief technology officer of Nokia’s American corporate entity, and a witness at the Senate Commerce Committee’s Wednesday 5 hearing on “5G Supply Chain Security.” Most of the hearing focused on a
FCC
Senators Capito and Hassan Re-Introduce the Rural Reasonable and Comparable Wireless Access Act
BROADBAND BREAKFAST INSIGHT: Together with her Democratic colleague Sen. Maggie Hassan, Republican Sen. Shelley Moore Capito on Friday introduced legislation designed to establish a national standard that would govern the Federal Communications Commission’s determination about whether mobile and bro
NTCA
Late Senate Confirmation on Wednesday Brings FCC Back to Five Commissioners, a First Since 2017
WASHINGTON, January 3, 2019 – The Senate on Wednesday night confirmed Federal Communications Commissioner Brendan Carr to another term at the agency, and confirmed Geoffrey Starks, a Democratic appointee, to begin serving as a commissioner at the agency. The move means that the agency will finally h
