USTelecom's Spalter Urges Copper Retirement and More Fiber for Rural Areas

WASHINGTON, Jan. 12, 2026 – USTelecom President and CEO Jonathan Spalter urged less red tape, retirement of copper networks and more fiber to rural areas in a New Year’s note to stakeholders of the telecom industry lobbying group.

Spalter began by calling for “more green lights and less red tape” regarding state permitting. As previously outlined by USTelecom in November 2025, “red tape” deployment of broadband networks through excessive permitting and fees delay BEAD funds from reaching dependent underserved communities. 

In calling for fewer rules, Spalter additionally referred to USTelecom’s statement encouraging the Federal Communications Commission to require that municipalities only impose fees that are cost-based, transparent, and nondiscriminatory.