Funding
Judge Won’t Pause Suit Over Trump’s $2.75B Digital Equity Act Cuts
National Digital Inclusion Alliance failed to show overlap with separate case, D.C. Circuit orders
IIJA
The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act was passed in August 2021, and signed by President Joe Biden in November 2021. This bipartisan infrastructure law included the Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment program, among others.
NTIA
FCC’s $398 Million Budget Request May Cut 110 Jobs
Despite a budget decrease in FY 2027, the agency is focused on AI and spectrum auctions as priorities
Digital Equity Act
Court Asked to Pause DEA-Related Lawsuit Against Trump, Pending Key Court Decision
The National Digital Inclusion Alliance has been fighting to restore a $2.75 billion digital equity program.
Tribal
Bois Forte Band Begins Construction on $20 Million Tribal Fiber Project
The ambitious undertaking is supported by a $20 million grant awarded under the 2021 Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program.
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.
JD Vance
Broadband Affordability Falters in 2025
In spite of the political salience of 'affordability,' federal rollbacks, industry pressure, and stalled state efforts took a toll on low-income Americans' broadband.
AI
Should BEAD Non-Deployment Funds Be Linked to AI? How Should Funds Be Spent?
Experts disagreed on conditioning broadband funding on state AI regulations, balancing digital economy goals against legal constraints.
NTIA
Colby Humphrey and Lexi West: America’s Plans to Expand Broadband Could Be Hindered by Workforce
The BEAD program faces potential delays as the telecom industry confronts a projected shortage of skilled workers needed to build infrastructure.
Broadband's Impact
Virginia’s Next Governor an Advocate for Better Broadband
In the House, Spanberger acted to direct the federal government to ensure that broadband networks were built to meet modern upload and download standards.
FCC
FCC Moves to Scale Back Broadband Label Requirements
The commission also moved to delete nearly 400 'outdated' regulations from rulebooks.
BEAD
Washington D.C. Finalizes Plan for $100M in Federal Broadband Funding
District officials say ‘all’ remaining unserved locations will be connected through fixed wireless technology.
Broadband Mapping and Data
FCC Proposes to Rollback Some Broadband Transparency Rules
Proposal would remove six consumer disclosure requirements
Commerce
Trump Administration Sued Over Canceled Digital Inclusion and Skills Grants
Termination of $2.75 billion Digital Equity Act programs ‘unconstitutional and unlawful,’ attorneys argue.
BEAD
Broadband Spared as Ernst Urges $2 Trillion Cuts
After calling BEAD a “boondoggle” last year, the Iowa senator omitted the program.
Randy Feenstra
House Lawmakers Introduce Middle Mile Bill for Rural America Act
Lawmakers filed bipartisan legislation Aug. 26 to reauthorize middle-mile broadband program.
BEAD
Study Reveals Patchy ISP Compliance With FCC Broadband Label Requirements
No ISP earned full marks under FCC broadband label requirements, Toronto's York University Study finds.
