Digital Inclusion
Sen. Murray: Canceling Digital Equity Grants Illegal
NTIA webpages related to the programs were down Wednesday.
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.
Digital Inclusion
Uncertainty Follows After Trump Targets Digital Equity Programs
The Infrastructure Act provided $2.75 billion in digital equity funding.
BEAD
BEAD Guidance to States Delayed Until Summer
States had been expecting an update this month.
Digital Equity Act
Trump Says Digital Equity Funding Under Broadband Law Will Be Ended
Targeted funds include $619 million, from a pool of $910 million in funding from NTIA, made available under a competitive grant program
BEAD
Missouri Stakeholders Urging Against BEAD Changes
Louisiana ISPs and contractors, state legislators, and state broadband offices have opposed upending the program.
Congress
House Passes NTIA Reauthorization, Rural Broadband Protection Acts
The House also passed the TAKE IT DOWN Act, which the Senate passed in February.
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.
West Virginia
West Va. Labor Leader Wants BEAD to Support Fiber Build
Local CAW executive says fiber means local jobs
BEAD
Former BEAD Director: Trump Admin Could Squander Once-in-a-Generation Fiber Broadband Investment
Proposed changes could raise LEO participation to 50–70% in some states, Feinman said.
Spectrum
Ligado Order’s Fifth Anniversary Sparks Pushback
Terrestrial network operations in the L-band could cause interference, coalition says
Congress
Trusty Gets Her Commerce Committee Vote on April 30
Senate confirmation would give Republicans a 3–2 FCC majority.
BEAD
NTIA Issues Blanket 90-Day Extension for BEAD Plans
The agency said in a policy notice states would need more time to implement forthcoming changes to the program.
NTIA
Maine’s BEAD Plan Delayed, Triggered by NTIA’s New Policy Direction
NTIA is expected to issue revised BEAD guidance in mid-May, Maine says.
Digital Inclusion
Bipartisan PLAN Act Reintroduced in House
Legislation intended to bring broadband to more Americans
Funding
Digital Equity Grant Winners Not Notified of Official Pause
The awards, recommended under the Biden administration, are under budgetary review.
Expert Opinion
Starlink and DOGE: The $42 Billion Conflict of Interest in Rural Broadband
This combination casts doubt on the government's ability to be truly 'technology neutral'.
