Infrastructure
FCC Adopts Copper Retirement, Call Center Onshoring Orders
Chairman Brendan Carr said there ‘may in fact be’ a full commission vote on the Nexstar-TEGNA merger.
Telecom Act
Congress to Revisit the Telecom Act of 1996 Next Week
Lawmakers and experts assert the law is outdated and unsustainable
BEAD 2026
Capital Discipline Will Separate Successful BEAD Buildouts From Defaults, Panelists Said
The median terrestrial broadband provider will charge $50 to $60 per month, while some satellite providers charge significantly more, panelist said
mergers
FCC Approves $34.5 Billion Charter-Cox Merger
The combined company would have about 36 million broadband subs.
Telecom Act
Rep. McClellan Hopes to Modernize 1996 Telecom Act Despite Lack of Congressional Support
House Democrat emphasized need to create more AI regulation and the importance of federal investment in broadband.
Digital Inclusion
Diversity Barriers To Entry Level Tech Policy Jobs Remain, According Public Knowledge Report
The study conducted in 2025 concluded that sustained attention will be required to improve diversity metrics.
Spectrum
Disagreement Persists on Satellite use of Millimeter Wave Spectrum
Satellite companies want easier access, while carriers say that could upend licenses they purchased.
Broadband Mapping and Data
Industry, Consumer Groups Still at Odds over Broadband Nutrition Labels
Consumer Reports found 30 percent of shoppers recalled seeing the labels since they went into effect.
Digital Inclusion
FCC Investigating Lifeline Providers as Advocates, Dems Push Back Against Increased ID Verification
The agency is set to vote Wednesday on a proposal that would seek comment on increased verification measures for the program.
Spectrum
Carriers and Satellite Companies at Odds on Millimeter Wave Spectrum
Satellite operators want easier access, which mobile providers fear would upend licenses they purchased.
Spectrum
Upper C-band Incumbent SES: Don’t Auction More Than 160 Megahertz
The Federal Communications Commission had proposed selling off as much as 180 megahertz in the band.
Broadband Mapping and Data
Accessibility, Consumer Groups Warn Against Scaling Back Broadband Transparency Labels
AARP cautioned the FCC against relying on ISPs’ characterizations of consumer behavior
Spectrum
FCC Told to Deny or Condition EchoStar Waivers Tied to SpaceX Spectrum Transfer
Petitioners warn waivers may undermine terrestrial buildout requirements and strand spectrum
Digital Inclusion
Public Knowledge, NDIA Aiming to Platform Local Advocates
The groups' Connectivity Policy Corps will have a first cohort of 18 advocates from 14 states.
FCC
Brookings Panelists: AI Stack Already Showing Signs of Market Concentration
Former FCC Chair Tom Wheeler warned that two-thirds of AI compute is controlled by three companies.
Justice Department
AT&T to DOJ: EchoStar Spectrum Deal Won’t Harm Competition
T-Mobile, rural carriers want conditions ensuring rural deployment.
