Satellite
Compromise Amendment Allows Satellite Bill to Clear Senate Committee
Concerns raised at the Feb. 3 markup hearing led to additional discussions and an agreement that moved the bill out of committee.
BEAD 2026
NTIA Administrator Arielle Roth to Keynote BEAD Implementation 2026
Roth's leadership comes at a pivotal moment, as states' BEAD deployments are firmly in the implementation phase.
BEAD
Senators Looking for Briefing from NTIA on SpaceX Rider
The company had sought exemptions from certain BEAD rules.
AI
Internet Caucus-Affiliated Org Previews Tech Policy in Congress
A panel of policy experts said there could be movement on areas of bipartisan consensus
Satellite
Satellite Permitting Bill Gains Support
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce joins a growing group of supporters, an attempt to pass similar legislation failed in the House in 2023.
SpaceX
Sens. Cruz and Welch Introduce Satellite Streamlining Act
Measure would require FCC satellite license decisions within one year.
AI
Senate Commerce Committee United in Support of Limiting Kids’ Screen Time
Still, the E-Rate program got caught in partisan crossfire, as some senators said the program led to unsupervised connectivity in schools.
Education
Educational Broadband Groups Urge Senate Panel to Prioritize EdTech
The coalition’s letter advocates for technology use in schools to improve future job prospects and educational advancement.
Commerce
New Senate Bill Would Halt Federal Funding for Trump’s AI Executive Order
Legislation filed as an amendment to the upcoming Senate appropriations package.
12 Days of Broadband
2025 Was a Year of More BEAD Turmoil
Based on tentative results, about 65% of BEAD locations are in line for fiber. Another 22% will get satellite, and 10% will get fixed wireless.
Defense Department
Where to Find 800 Megahertz of Spectrum For Auction?
Citizens Broadband Radio Service hasn’t got an explicit defense from the Trump administration, but the FCC hasn’t said it intends to alter it.
12 Days of Broadband
With Denunciation of Digital Grants as ‘Woke Handout,’ $2.5 Billion in Funding Scrapped
As of Dec. 5, the government had not yet filed its response.
Expert Opinion
Deborah Lathen: Does the FCC’s Commitment to the Public Interest Withstand Scrutiny?
The proposed Nexstar-TEGNA merger, which would far exceed statutory caps, threatens higher consumer costs, newsroom consolidation and local journalism.
12 Days of Broadband
12 Days of Broadband: Brendan Carr, Deregulator or Speech Police?
The Federal Communications Commission's 39% problem
NTIA
New BEAD Rules Subject to Congressional Review, GAO Finds
Congress should have received a report before the rules were issued, the watchdog said.
Free Speech
Senators Press FCC Chair for First Time Since Kimmel Controversy
Senators confront Carr on broadcast influence, consolidation, and FCC independence
