FCC
O’Rielly Warns that Regulatory Burdens May Hinder Lifeline Participation
USF contractors face aggressive audits, investigations, fines and prosecutions.
Spectrum
Broad Swath of Stakeholders Warns FCC Undoing EchoStar Deal Would Cause Harm
More than 60 stakeholders, including former GOP commissioners, back Dish/EchoStar in defense of its 2 GHz licenses
FCC
Simington Announces Early Exit from FCC
Commission to enter 1-1 partisan split with Simington and Starks stepping down
FCC
Stick With Fiber, Rural Providers Tell Washington
Rural broadband providers urged federal officials to stay the course on prioritizing fiber in BEAD.
USF
USF Proponents ‘Cautiously Optimistic’ After Supreme Court Arguments
Justices are set to decide whether the $9 billion-per-year program is unconstitutional
Funding
Telecom Industry Launches Coalition to Push Congress on USF Fix
The groups called on Congress to preserve USF’s funding structure ahead of Supreme Court ruling.
FCC
Former Commissioners, Policy Experts Endorse Trusty for FCC
Trusty was nominated to be fifth FCC commissioner in January
National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA)
Former GOP FCC Members, Policy Experts Endorse Arielle Roth
Michael O’Rielly and Harold Furchtgott-Roth sign letter in support of Roth.
BEAD
Former FCC Commissioner Predicts Court Battle Over BEAD’s Fiber Preference
But Kathryn de Wit of Pew said the structure of BEAD was carefully crafted to address systemic flaws in federal broadband policy.
Public Safety
O’Rielly Wants Federal Law to Target Copper Theft
Former GOP FCC Commissioner says we need steeper federal penalties.
NTIA
Ted Cruz Staffer Arielle Roth Named to Head NTIA, Cruz Tweets
If confirmed, Roth would head the Commerce Department agency charged with implementing a $42.5 billion broadband program.
USF
Former FCC Commissioner O’Rielly Working on USF ‘Patch’
Supreme Court to rule later this year if USF's funding mechanism is unconstitutional.
BEAD
O’Rielly: Too Late for NTIA to Pivot from Pro-Fiber Approach
Shifting away from fiber may not be practical.
Section 230
FCC’s Authority on Digital Discrimination Intact: Legal Experts
Legal experts also debated FCC's authority on net neutrality and Section 230 enforcement.
FCC
Potential FCC Nominees Could Cement GOP Majority
Three GOP contenders could shape FCC’s future direction in the new Trump administration.
FCC
Former FCC Commissioner Says FCC Not Best Suited to Distribute Affordable Connectivity Program Funds
The FCC’s expertise does not translate to a social distribution mechanism.
