On May 13, Sens Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Maria Cantwell (D-WA) sent a letter to Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai with a straight-forward request: don't allow wireless companies to operate in a 24 GHz band until vital weather forecasting operations are protected.
Ligado Networks LLC’s plan to develop some of the nation’s most valuable airwaves is being undercut by disagreements between US regulators over the deployment of 5G technology—miring the company’s business in a holding pattern and pressuring its finances. Ligado, the wireless venture formerly known as LightSquared Inc., has waited more than 1,200 days for permission to repurpose a swath of wireless spectrum that has emerged as a sticking point as federal agencies debate whether and how to build out proposed 5G networks.
Why pursue an overall Universal Service Fund (USF) budget and what benefit would it bring? First and foremost, a budget is necessary to protect the investments of ratepayers who pay for our programs. Second, a topline budget would force the Federal Communications Commission to consider the whole USF when increasing program spending. Third, an FCC running up against a cap would have greater incentive to eliminate inefficiencies that detract from achieving the program’s mission and value. Fourth and finally, a budget would help protect universal service.
Lawmakers in VT are at the forefront of a national movement aiming to shine a light on data brokers that buy and sell the personal information of millions of Americans with whom they have no direct relationship. A state law passed in 2018 required all businesses that trade data on VT’s residents to register publicly and share some basic information about how they operate. The goal was to give residents one public database where they can find clear information about all companies that sell their data and steps they can take to delete it.
© 1994-2026 Benton Institute for Broadband & Society. All Rights Reserved.
