The Federal Communications Commission's Office of Managing Director announced that the proposed universal service contribution factor for the third quarter of 2026 will be 0.388 or 38.8 percent. Contributions to the federal universal service support mechanisms are determined using a quarterly contribution factor calculated by the FCC.
The Federal Communications Commission grants Wisper Internet a limited waiver of the Commission’s Rural Digital Opportunity Fund service milestone and non-compliance rules. If Wisper timely repays the RDOF support it has received for all the eligible census blocks within the census block groups covered by its authorized Arkansas winning bids, we will relieve Wisper of RDOF obligations to serve these CBGs.
The AI-driven data center boom is colliding with the politics of affordability, and House candidates are increasingly caught in the middle. Across the country, data centers have become targets of community opposition to rising electricity bills, water consumption, land use and the influence of Big Tech. In Wisconsin, community dissent has disrupted five data center proposals.
The New York City Public Advocate’s Office recently released an “Internet for All” Plan that, among many other things, recommends spending more than $2 billion to build a city-owned open-access municipal fiber network across the five boroughs. The Plan also suggests that the city explore ways to potentially seize infrastructure owned by a private electric utility, Con Edison, via eminent domain to support this initiative.
Rural broadband operators are navigating a moment of real change. AI is reshaping how networks are used, how they’re managed, and how providers can stay competitive. But sorting useful strategies from empty buzzwords isn’t easy.
A panel of industry leaders will share proven approaches to using AI and automation to improve network efficiency, deliver better customer experiences, and open new revenue streams.
© 1994-2026 Benton Institute for Broadband & Society. All Rights Reserved.
