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  2. June 2026

June 2026

North Carolina officials outline plans to prevent future communication blackouts after Helene

As western North Carolina continues recovering from the devastation left by Helene, state and regional leaders are focusing on one of the storm's most significant challenges: the near-total collapse of communications infrastructure. During a virtual recovery update hosted by Grow NC, officials discussed ongoing recovery efforts and what is being done to prevent another communications blackout if a future disaster strikes.

Hollywood and Big Tech Are Preparing for War

A barrage of seemingly unrelated headlines suggest that Hollywood and Big Tech are on a collision course and that the next few years will reshape how the world spends its free time and which platforms will dominate. As tech and AI companies push further into entertainment and media, their stewardship of that content (or lack thereof) is becoming a story unto itself.

Accelerating the Spectrum Pipeline Is How America Wins the AI Race

Now that the Federal Communications Commission is freeing up spectrum once again, we have an opportunity to build on that momentum and deliver the 800-megahertz pipeline Congress envisioned—and in a timely way. Doing so is critical to ensuring that AI innovation stays where it belongs: here in the United States. The pressure on timing is real.

Telecom Act at 30: How deregulation reshaped telecommunications

February 8, 2026, marked 30 years since the Telecommunications Act of 1996, the first major overhaul of U.S. communications law since 1934. Designed to deregulate the industry and open markets to competition, the legislation aimed to break up entrenched monopolies and lower costs for consumers. For MetTel, the anniversary is more than just symbolic. The company’s origins are directly tied to the law’s creation.

Carolina West Wireless is shutting down in deal with Verizon

Another struggling rural carrier is shutting down. Carolina West Wireless struck an agreement to transition its wireless network to Verizon and will end its wireless services effective September 30, 2026. Terms were not disclosed. Based in Wilkesboro, North Carolina, Carolina West Wireless was formed 35 years ago and is owned by a partnership of Skyline Telephone and Surry Communications. The company provides wireless service across 11 western North Carolina counties.

Rightfiber will explore mergers and acquisitions to fuel growth

The proposed combination of Ritter Communications and Great Plains Communications isn't being pitched as a cost-cutting exercise. Rightfiber, the name of the proposed combo, aims to grow through fiber network expansions and opportunistic, fiber-focused acquisitions. That's according to Heath Simpson, the current CEO of Ritter and the exec who will lead Rightfiber as CEO. Todd Foje, Great Plains' CEO, will become executive chairman of Rightfiber.

NTIA Opens Third Round of the Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program

The U.S. Department of Commerce's National Telecommunications and Information Administration opened the third—and, given the dollars remaining, likely final—competition for funding under the Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program.

More for Less: Broadband Price and Quality Trends, 2020–2026

The Federal Communications Commission collects annual data on broadband prices through its Urban Rate Survey, covering a wide range of speed tiers and providers across urban markets. In the right analytical hands, the data offer an opportunity to track broadband prices over time. Yet, price is only one measure of market performance. Experience indicates that the quality of broadband service—typically measured by download speeds—consistently improves over time.

AI in the Racial Wealth Gap

This qualitative report is based on interviews with people of color who believe they have been impacted by AI decision-making systems in their pursuit of jobs, lending, and housing. Key takeaways include:

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