1. Monthly archive
  2. January 2026

January 2026

Commissioner Gomez on FCC Plan to Raise Phone and Internet Bills

At a time when millions of families are already struggling with the rising cost of living and the loss of the Affordable Connectivity Program, the Federal Communications Commission should be focused on making connectivity more affordable, not erecting new barriers that risk raising phone and internet bills for the people who can least afford it. While I support efforts to protect the integrity and success of the Lifeline program, this proposal goes well beyond that goal.

Digging out: How U.S. operators are dealing with Winter Storm Fern

Much of the United States is digging out after this weekend’s historic Winter Storm Fern—and that means the major mobile operators are, too. Here's how AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon handled the preparation and aftermath of the event, which saw snow, sleet and freezing rain hit across the country from Texas to Maine: 

Why Universal Service still matters: Interview with Shirley Bloomfield

Protecting the concept of Universal Service and promoting an effective Universal Service Fund (USF) has long been the defining issue for NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association, which is why NTCA CEO Shirley Bloomfield was so relieved when the Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of the USF in June of 2025. “Talk about feeling like a 100,000-pound weight got lifted off your shoulders,” Bloomfield said. “I was proud of the NTCA board for allocating the resources for us to intervene in that case and be a player. It’s not something we’ve done in the past.

Assessing Washington’s Digital Equity Plan

In light of concerns stakeholders expressed around the coordination of digital equity efforts in Washington, this audit examined the condition of the state’s current overarching digital equity plan. The Washington State Legislature has assigned key responsibilities around promoting digital equity to the Washington State Broadband Office within the Washington State Department of Commerce and the Washington State Office of Equity.

SpaceX Seeks Exemption from Certain BEAD Requirements

In a letter to state broadband offices, Elon Musk’s SpaceX suggested that it may be “untenable” for low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite internet providers, such as Starlink, to participate in the Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) Program unless they receive exemptions from certain contract requirements.

Government by AI? Trump Administration Plans to Write Regulations Using Artificial Intelligence

The Trump Administration is planning to use artificial intelligence (AI) to write federal transportation regulations, according to U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) records and agency staffers.

The Value of Broadband to a Community

A recent report, From Gig City to Quantum City: The Value of Fiber Optic Infrastructure in Hamilton County, TN 2011-2035, quantifies the benefit of the citywide municipal fiber network to the City of Chattanooga (TN). The fiber network is operated by EPB, the electric and fiber utility owned by the City of Chattanooga.

Analysis

SpaceX Seeks Exemption from Certain BEAD Requirements

Benton Institute for Broadband & Society

Tuesday, January 27, 2026

Sponsor 

National Telecommunications and Information Administration

U.S. Department of Commerce

Date 
Wed, 02/11/2026 - 14:00 to 16:00

NTIA will host a public listening session to gather stakeholder input that will inform the allowable uses for BEAD funds saved through the Benefit of the Bargain reforms.

The meeting will be held virtually, with pre-registration required at https://broadbandusa.ntia.gov. The virtual meeting is open to the public and the press on a first-come, first-served basis.

 


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