1. Monthly archive
  2. January 2026

January 2026

AI and rural broadband

Some rural broadband providers are early adopters of artificial intelligence while others remain skeptical—but NTCA-The Rural Broadband Association's Shirley Bloomfield says it’s clear AI is a powerful tool for the industry when used correctly. When asked if she is skeptical or bullish about AI, Bloomfield said, “I generally come down on the bullish side. I think there are so many interesting efficiencies that AI can bring.” Bloomfield said increasing efficiency is critical for rural broadband providers, and AI can play a role in everything from network design to customer service.

Broadband Infrastructure: States’ Reported Progress Implementing Requirements to Facilitate Deployment Along Federal-Aid Highways

In 2021, the Federal Highway Administration issued a final rule—the “dig once” rule—establishing new broadband infrastructure regulatory requirements for state departments of transportation that receive federal-aid highway program funding. These requirements included (1) identifying a broadband utility coordinator, (2) establishing certain processes to register and notify internet service providers and other entities, and (3) coordinating initiatives with state and local plans.

Cell Tower Regulation Changes?

Cellular carriers seem to be on a winning streak with federal regulators. In the Big Beautiful Bill, cellular carriers were able to insert language in the bill that mandates the Federal Communications Commission to auction 800 MHz of mid-range spectrum. That’s going to force the FCC to carve the spectrum from other uses, and it seems likely that most of the spectrum that goes to auction will be won by the big cell carriers.

Benton Institute for Broadband & Society Selected as 2026 ACLS Leading Edge Fellowship Host Organization

Benton Institute for Broadband & Society

Thursday, January 22, 2026

Sponsor 

Senate Commerce Committee

Date 
Wed, 01/28/2026 - 14:30

The Senate Commerce Committee will discuss live performance ticket sale practices, fees charged by primary and secondary sellers, and the prevalence of automated bots that rapidly buy up tickets, a practice making it harder for some fans to buy list price tickets or attend events.


Sponsor 

Senate Commerce Committee

Date 
Tue, 01/27/2026 - 10:00

As the Senate Commerce Committee prepares to reauthorize the First Responder Network Authority ahead of its February 2027 sunset, this hearing will assess the progress of FirstNet —the nation’s dedicated public safety network— and the First Responder Network Authority, an independent entity within the Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration that oversees the network.


The AI Preemption Executive Order’s BEAD Strategy Faces Steep Legal Hurdles

On Dec 11, 2025, President Trump signed an executive order titled “Ensuring a National Policy Framework for Artificial Intelligence” that, as part of a broader attempt to block state regulation of AI, directs the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) to condition an estimated $21 billion in br

Senators Raise Concerns on the Use of AI in Toys

Sens Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Ranking Member of the Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), and Ed Markey (D-MA) called on the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to address the safety risks of artificial intelligence (AI) in children’s toys. The Senators requested information on how the CPSC is working to protect children from the potential harms of AI in toys. The senators asked for answers to the following questions by January 31, 2026:

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