1. Monthly archive
  2. August 2026

August 2026

NTIA webinar offers broadband providers a permitting road map

Permitting sits on the critical path to broadband deployment, and understanding what agencies require can decide whether a project finishes on schedule. That was the central message of a National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) webinar held August 26, which brought together federal permitting officials and a broadband provider who navigated a large Alaska fiber project. NTIA acting Chief Environmental Review and Permitting Officer Amanda Pereira moderated the session.

Oklahoma Public Libraries Become Broadband Access Hubs

This summer, Oklahoma launched a statewide community access portal initiative, bringing private, internet-connected spaces to public libraries across the state. The program will place as many as 175 portals in libraries, giving rural residents a private space to access telehealth, workforce development, education, and other essential online services. The initiative comes as libraries have taken on an expanding role as community access points for technology and telehealth.

A Call for a New Communications Act

The Communications Act is badly outdated. Congress last made major changes to it in 1996—when the Internet was relatively new, before smartphones, and before streaming video. When Congress is able to take up major legislation again, it should replace the current law with a new Communications Act designed for how Americans communicate today and as they are likely to in the years to come.

Op-ed

A Call for a New Communications Act

Benton Institute for Broadband & Society

Thursday, August 27, 2026

U.S. FWA Was Envisioned as a Rural Broadband Fix, but Urban Users Are Embracing It Too

U.S. 5G fixed wireless access connections from Verizon, T-Mobile, and AT&T topped 17 million in Q1 2026—capturing 13.74% of the nation’s 123.75 million home broadband subscriptions, according to the U.S. Census Bureau’s January 2026 American Community Survey. Ookla looked at FWA performance trends throughout the first half of 2026 and found steady progress in speeds and latency.

SpaceX fuels mobile ambition with another helping of spectrum

Elon Musk's SpaceX is making moves to acquire more AWS-3 midband spectrum for Starlink's mobile satellite direct-to-device service and is getting closer to nationwide coverage in the US. In a recent Federal Communications Commission filing, SpaceX subsidiary Starlink Spectrum Holdings requested permission to transfer control of three unpaired AWS-3 licences in the 1695MHz–1710MHz band that are held by Tristar License Group.

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