Privacy
Lawmakers Reject Palantir Donations, Citing Surveillance
Some Democrats return or redirect contributions over the data analytics firm’s immigration surveillance work.
Privacy Challenges Are Looming Behind AI Regulation, Say FBCA Panelists
Hosted by the Federal Communications Bar Association, the event featured lawmakers and aides from Connecticut, Massachusetts and Colorado
AI
Senate Commerce Committee United in Support of Limiting Kids’ Screen Time
Still, the E-Rate program got caught in partisan crossfire, as some senators said the program led to unsupervised connectivity in schools.
Public Safety
More Lawmakers Call for Terrestrial GPS Backup
Four Republicans warn FCC to proceed with caution as it explores GPS alternatives
national security
Senate Passes Pair of Bills to Safeguard Broadband Supply Chains
Measures from Sens. Hickenlooper and Ernst aim to prevent equipment shortages and bolster domestic production
Briefs
Senate Commerce Committee Passes NET Act
FCC would need to evaluate impact of network equipment supply chain on broadband access.
IIJA
Senators Revive Bill to Prevent BEAD Supply Chain Bottlenecks
The NET Act would address supply chain delays ahead of the government dolling out $42.5 billion for broadband.
Energy
Senate Confirms Energy Executive Chris Wright as Cabinet Secretary
Wright called for stewardship of oil, natural gas and coal, but also nuclear power, hydropower, wind, solar and geothermal energy.
BEAD
NTIA Fully Approves BEAD Plans from Colorado and New Hampshire
The states will have one year to award grants under the program.
Marsha Blackburn
Cybersecurity Leaders Express Reserved Support for American Privacy Rights Act
Cybersecurity leaders consider the potential efficacy of a landmark privacy bill.
Funding
Colorado Broadband Officer Lays out BEAD Hurdles
In keynote luncheon fireside chat, Sen. John Hickenlooper, D-Colo., raised concerns about some BEAD requirements.
Infrastructure
Cost Modifications will Stop Rip and Replace Projects, Panel Hears
Cost modifications will reduce the efficiency of the program, agree experts.
Charter
Rip and Replace Bill, NTIA Head on 6G, Charter’s New Promotion
The FCC has said there is a $3 billion shortfall in funding to replace security threat equipment.
Infrastructure
Broadband Industry Grapples With High Inflation and Acute Workforce Shortage
Between supply chain disruptions and the rising price of goods, the increased costs of fiber deployment could be pushed onto consumers.
Infrastructure
Supply Chain Transparency Legislation Important for Timely Broadband Bills
‘We want to make sure that the FCC has to…detect, problems long before they become crises.’
Amy Klobuchar
Universal Service Fund Bill, Private-Public Era, USTelecom Expands Team, Giving Tuesday
A bill introduced this month requires the FCC to investigate the need to expand base of Universal Service Fund.
