August 2025

The Federal Communications Commission voted to accelerate innovation and growth in America’s space economy, most notably for startups and new businesses. The FCC adopted new rules that streamline processes to accelerate the development of neutral-host ground infrastructure that has proven successful in the wireless industry and reduce filing requirements for satellite operators. These reforms intend to boost the nascent Ground-Station-as-a-Service business model that allows multiple satellite systems to share the same ground station.

Vermont Community Broadband Board has completed taking in applications for Vermont’s Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program. BEAD is a federal program that provides $42.45 billion to expand high-speed internet access by funding planning, infrastructure deployment, and adoption programs in all states and territories. Vermont’s allocation of those funds is almost $229 million.

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration has made it very clear that Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment grants should focus largely on cost. And the cheapest way to reach unserved areas is via satellite, which costs as little as $349 for Starlink equipment to get up and running.

T-Mobile recently wrapped up its $4.3 billion acquisition of UScellular, and the departure of UScellular (as we know it) comes at a weird time.