Hill Staffers Split on Permitting, Spectrum and Broadband Expansion
Aides to key telecom lawmakers laid out competing visions for the future of U.S. broadband policy.
NTIA
The National Telecommunications and Information Administration, an agency within the U.S. Department Commerce, is responsible for implementing the bipartisan infrastructure legislation, including managing federal broadband funding programs to expand high-speed internet access.
NTIA
Roth: New Permitting Tool Will Fast-Track Nearly All BEAD Projects
NTIA administrator projects up to 95 percent of projects will bypass environmental reviews.
AI
U.S.–UK Tech Pact Spurs $350B in Cross-Atlantic Deals
Deal promises joint leadership on AI, nuclear and quantum computing.
FCC
FCC Auction Authority Renewal Sparks Debate on Spectrum Design, Federal Reallocation
Congress extends FCC auction authority through 2034 with 800 MHz mid-band requirement.
Spectrum
NTIA Administrator Roth on Strategy for Federal Spectrum Reallocation
Arielle Roth outlines agency approach to identifying 500 megahertz of federal spectrum for commercial access.
Spectrum
Opponents to D.C. Circuit: FCC Plan for More FirstNet Spectrum Unlawful
Oral arguments in the case haven't been scheduled.
BEAD Data
Oregon, Idaho Release BEAD Plans
Both would get fiber to roughly half of their BEAD-funded locations, about 53 percent in Oregon and 49 percent in Idaho.
NTIA
Virginia Lawmakers Urge NTIA to Approve State’s BEAD Plan
Both Democratic and Republican state lawmakers have rallied behind Virginia’s broadband office.
Expert Opinion
David Nelson: Act Now to Protect American Jobs, Keep Promise of Broadband Grants
Unintended tax law changes now threaten to strip away up to 30% of federal broadband grants, putting rural connectivity at risk.
Congress
House Appropriations Passes FY26 Budget Impacting NTIA
$47 million allocation for National Telecommunications and Information Administration includes amendment blocking federal rate-setting in broadband deployment.
Spectrum
NTIA Identifies 5 Megahertz of NOAA Spectrum for Auction
The NTIA head also urged the FCC to protect Wi-Fi.
Expert Opinion
Christopher Mitchell: Trump Administration Doubles Down on Pulling Investment from Rural America
NTIA has added a secretive new 'Best and Final Offer' step to the $42.5 billion BEAD program, raising concerns it will further cut rural broadband.
BEAD
SpaceX Challenges Wisconsin, Colorado BEAD Plans
Pennsylvania revised its draft results to award slightly more locations to SpaceX and Kuiper.
Congress
House Panel Keeps FCC Budget Flat in 2026
Full committee denies FCC’s $26M budget raise request.
New Mexico
New Mexico WISP Fears Overbuilding
The state posted its tentative BEAD winners this week.
BEAD
NTIA Gives Texas Until Oct. 27 to File Final BEAD Plan
Lone Star State wanted until Nov. 21.
