Wireless
Fixed Wireless Emerges as Contender for BEAD Deployment
Competition between internet providers heats up.
LEO
Low-Earth Orbit satellites provide internet connectivity with lower latency than geostationary satellites.
Satellite
National Science Foundation and Project Kuiper Establish Satellite Coordination Agreement
Agreement will advance both global broadband access and astronomical science.
Wireless
Ookla: Starlink Outpaces Rivals in In-Flight Wi-Fi Performance
LEO satellite provider delivers fastest speeds and lowest latency in new analysis
China
Chinese Geostationary Satellite Reaches Speed of 1Gbps
Method increases chance of usable signals by nearly 20 percent
Satellite
FCC Space Bureau Chief Bullish on LEO
Believes satellite can compete with fiber.
Expert Opinion
J. Randolph Luening: What Does Tech-Neutrality Mean for BEAD?
Technologies besides fiber often fail to meet Priority Broadband Project requirements, even as defined by the June 6 policy notice.
Expert Opinion
Alexis Schrubbe: Everything You Know About Speed for BEAD is Now Moot
BEAD’s new policy notice invalidates Final Proposals, prioritizes cost over community, and generates immense sunk costs.
Spectrum
GPS Vulnerabilities Prompt Industry Push for Backup Systems
The FCC is exploring terrestrial and space-based alternatives that could serve as backups when GPS fails.
Satellite
3% Satellite Industry Growth, Despite Video Revenue Decline
The number of active satellites in orbit has exploded, from approximately 1,000 in 2014 to nearly 11,539 by the end of 2024.
Expert Opinion
Building Better Broadband: Why LEO Satellites and Hybrid Solutions Work Best Together
Barely 19% of residents in underdeveloped regions have internet access.
FCC
FCC Moves to Loosen Satellite Power Limits, Expand Shared Access to 37 GHz Band
FCC revisits decades-old satellite spectrum sharing rules and opens 600 megahertz of spectrum for commercial access.
Expert Opinion
Chris Scharrer: Why Would SpaceX Need $20B from BEAD?
$3.5B can buy 6.4 million Starlink residential installations. Starlink is a practical short-term stopgap before fiber.
Satellite
Project Kuiper Gets New April 28 Launch Date
Amazon ready to send 27 satellites to low-Earth orbit in its official constellation rollout.
Satellite
House Bill Would Divert BEAD Funds Toward Satellite and Wireless Subsidies
Rep. Taylor has also pushed for satellites to be considered in Appalachian broadband grants.
Expert Opinion
Jessica Dine: So You Want BEAD to Be Tech Neutral?
BEAD should use all technologies, but not all technologies are equal.
Expert Opinion
States Approach Readiness for the Broadband Rollout, But Federal Nod is Elusive
No BEAD final proposals have been posted since late 2024, but many are due over the next few months.
