AVs
Musk Promises Less Time in Washington After Tesla Profit Plunges
Investors sent Tesla shares up more than 5% in after-hours trading, although they are still down more than 40% for the year.
Briefs
American Partnering with Viasat and Intelsat on In-flight Wi-Fi
United has a deal with Starlink, and Delta is partnered with Viasat and Hughes
Expert Opinion
Starlink and DOGE: The $42 Billion Conflict of Interest in Rural Broadband
This combination casts doubt on the government's ability to be truly 'technology neutral'.
Section 230
TAKE IT DOWN Act Passes House Commerce, But Not Without a Fight
Democrats warn the law will fall flat without a functional FTC to enforce it.
BEAD
Rhode Island Open for BEAD Applications
The deadline for submissions is May 9.
UK
Starlink Becomes Punching Bag Amid Global Backlash to Trump Tariffs
Canada’s westernmost territory halts use of Elon Musk’s satellite service, ends presence on X, and pulls Tesla rebates in protest.
BEAD
West Virginia ‘Looking Closely’ at a Tech Neutral BEAD Plan Amid Review
The state is reworking its final proposal but hasn't asked ISPs to resubmit grant applications.
Benton
State Legislators: Don’t Upend BEAD
A bipartisan group of 115 legislators from 28 states urged caution as the Trump administration mulls rule changes.
Expert Opinion
Jessica Dine: So You Want BEAD to Be Tech Neutral?
BEAD should use all technologies, but not all technologies are equal.
Section 230
House and Senate Democrats Demand Answers from Carr Over Media Investigations
The efforts are not termed ‘investigations,’ but - signed only by Democrats - demand answers from Carr.
IIJA
House Bill Could Open Appalachian Broadband Funds to Starlink
GAO study would evaluate whether the Appalachian Regional Commission should fund LEO providers.
COVID
ACP Funding is Still a Good Idea, Even for the Current GOP
But don’t get your hopes up.
BEAD
NTIA Nominee Roth Mostly Noncommittal on Key BEAD Issues
Roth offered no guarantees that states won’t have to restart BEAD subgrantee selections.
Committee on Commerce Science and Transportation
Fired FTC Official Slaughter: Trump Put Big Tech Above the Law
Democrat says FTC lost two Big Tech watchdogs over Meta, X, and Amazon.
Mobile
Charter and Comcast Offering Emergency Satellite Messaging on Certain Android Phones
Verizon, who the cable giants have MVNO deals with, announced satellite texting on the same Android phones Wednesday.
New Mexico
New Mexico’s $70 Million Starlink Plan Not in State Budget
State broadband office requested $70 million last November for the Starlink project.
