Funding
Trump Signs Law Allocating $51M for NTIA, Requires BEAD Funds Briefing in 30 Days
Lawmakers included language directing NTIA to brief Congress within 30 days on its plans for spending all remaining BEAD funds.
Funding
The pandemic has prompted a new era of funding for broadband infrastructure.
Appalachian Regional Commission
House Committee Approves Appalachian Satellite Broadband Bill
The legislation directs GAO to study the use of satellite broadband for economic development in Appalachia.
Funding
GAO: FCC’s E-Rate Has Adequate Anti-Fraud Measures
The program fared the best in GAO’s review of five government subsidies.
last mile
New York Opens $36 Million for Open Access, Municipal Broadband
Applications from interested providers will be accepted through April 30.
Funding
Kansas Awards $6.7M in Broadband Grants
The state’s broadband acceleration grant program awarded funds to five ISPs in Kansas to boost access for rural communities.
Wireless
CTIA Wireless Foundation Launches Catalyst 2026 Grants Program
Competitive grants will award more than $200,000 to wireless innovators
North Carolina
North Carolina Launches $86M Effort to Fill Broadband Gaps Left by Earlier Grants
Stop-Gap program will fund broadband line-extension projects that can be finished by 2026
Maine
Bill to Eliminate Maine’s Broadband Authority Struck-and-Replaced by Committee
Maine Connect Authority president criticized what he called ‘surprisingly outdated’ thinking behind the bill.
Tribal
NTIA Recommends $6.5M in Tribal Broadband Awards
Tribal consultations in January will help shape updates to the broadband program, NTIA says.
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The agency said no more awards would be made under current rules, and that previously announced awards would not be rescinded.
Rural
Senate Clears Agriculture Bill With $109 Million for Rural Broadband
USDA's ReConnect would see about $50 million for 2026, more than the Senate had previously put forward.
Commerce
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.
Funding
Appeals Court Grants FCC Request to Pause USF Challenge
Fifth Circuit stay halts proceedings in Consumers’ Research v. FCC until government funding resumes
Land of Sky Regional Council
N.C. Launches $50M Broadband Recovery Program for Counties Hit by Helene
Hurricane Helene destroyed 1,700 miles of fiber, cutting service to 200,000 North Carolinians.
Funding
Reintroduced Bill Would Update, Fund ReConnect Through 2030
The bill would provide $650 million annually, more than other lawmakers are currently considering.
Funding
Anchor Institutions Face Funding Crisis as Digital Divide Widens, Panel Says
The Broadband Breakfast Live Online event comes two weeks before AnchorNets in Arlington, Va., on Oct. 29-31.
