1. Monthly archive
  2. September 2025

September 2025

Local Permitting for Fiber Network Projects: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

Permitting plays a critical role in the pace and cost of broadband deployment. While essential for protecting public safety, infrastructure, and the environment, local permitting often causes significant delays, added expenses, and in some cases, stalled projects. This white paper from the Fiber Broadband Association’s Deployment Specialists Committee examines permitting through “The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly,” highlighting how well-structured processes can support responsible builds, while fragmented systems and outdated practices create major barriers to expanding fiber networks.

Fiber Broadband Association and NCTI Highlight Opportunities for Growth in Broadband Workforce

The Fiber Broadband Association and NCTI unveiled the results of a joint workforce preparedness survey. The findings have been published in a paper titled, “Employer Workforce Preparedness in the Fiber Broadband Industry: How Build-Ready are We?” highlight the proactive steps many broadband service providers are taking to ensure a robust and skilled fiber-optic workforce. Key findings from the survey include:

Lumen Technologies Moves Forward With AI-Focused Backbone Build

Lumen Technologies announced that it has made significant progress in its buildout of the backbone for the artificial intelligence economy. The company is moving ahead with its goal of adding 34 million new intercity fiber miles by the end of 2028, bringing its total of intercity fiber miles to 47 million. According to the Lumen press release, this year the company has made several strides in AI readiness: 

CPUC Sets Stronger Service Quality Standards for Voice Providers Across California

The California Public Utilities Commission has set significant new requirements to improve the quality of phone service for Californians, especially in emergencies. At its Sept. 18 Voting Meeting, the CPUC approved new service quality standards that will help to ensure that Californians receive reliable telecommunication services. The Decision also extends minimum service quality standards to fixed interconnected Voice over Internet Protocol providers for the first time.

Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 Administration Research and Development Budget Priorities and Cross-Cutting Actions

The Trump administration's five research and development priorities include ensuring American leadership in critical and emerging technologies. These critical and emerging technologies promise to fuel American prosperity, improve quality of life and national security, and create high-paying jobs for American workers:

Maybe 'They Forgot About It': Year After Digital Discrimination Case, Appeals Court Silent

A year after oral arguments, the fate of the Federal Communications Commission’s digital discrimination rules remains unresolved in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit. A three-judge panel, all Republicans, heard the case, Minnesota Telecom Alliance v. FCC, on Sept. 25, 2024.

China launches campaign to keep killjoys off the internet

The Chinese government is taking aim at an emotion that has become all too common on the country's internet: despondency. China's Cyberspace Administration launched a two-month campaign to curb social media posts that "excessively exaggerate negative and pessimistic sentiments".

Sponsor 

Fiber Broadband Association

Date 
Tue, 10/14/2025 - 13:00 to 14:00

The telecommunications industry stands at a critical juncture. While the demand for robust and advanced connectivity continues its relentless climb, the very foundation upon which this growth is built – our workforce – faces unprecedented challenges.


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