September 2026

Regional innovation competitiveness relies not only on research, but on the effective deployment of technologies, proving that ideas can work beyond the lab. But in order to deploy technologies and scale economic growth, coalitions must tell a compelling story to funders about why investment in their communities is worthwhile. In this research paper, US Ignite, through the Supporting U.S.

California is on the verge of accepting $1.86 billion in federal broadband grant funds, despite the Trump administration telling states they cannot enforce net neutrality rules on any Internet service provider that gets a piece of the grant money.

SpaceX is continuing to pursue its case with the Federal Communications Commission that the proliferation of low-Earth orbit satellite service renders rural broadband subsidies obsolete, while depicting the opposing arguments of "subsidy-dependent incumbents" as "unfounded" and "implausible." The company's most recent remarks on the matter came in the form of reply comments to the FCC's proceeding on modernizing High-Cost, a program operated under the Universal Service Fund that helps subsidize telecom network deployment and maintenance in rural areas.

Commercializing the 4 GHz band (4.4-4.94 GHz) will be key to U.S. efforts to lead the world in wireless and next-generation AI innovation. The band sits in prime mid-band territory, can support the wide channels required for future advanced network capabilities, and is already aligned with existing global 5G and 6G standards and device ecosystems. As AI traffic spikes and 6G moves from concept to reality in coming years, the United States will need new large, contiguous blocks of full-power commercial spectrum. The 4 GHz band is a prime opportunity for the U.S.