Nicole Ferraro

In early April, a group of over 100 bipartisan legislators representing 28 states signed a letter to Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick warning against making changes to the Broadband Equity Access and Deployment program that will delay and undermine states' existing plans.

As the federal government considers changes to the Broadband Equity Access and Deployment program, one lingering question is how those changes—and ongoing implementation delays—may impact domestic fiber suppliers that are ramping up their US-based manufacturing to comply with BEAD's existing requirements. President Trump's new tariffs only exacerbate the difficulties. After all, they could impact most US-based manufacturing efforts if they cover the importation of the components used in those manufacturing operations.

Whether from unintentional damage (common) or seemingly intentional 

The Supreme Court held oral arguments in Federal Communications Commission v. Consumers' Research, a case challenging the legality of the Universal Service Fund framework.

Over 30 organizations have signed a letter urging US senators to vote against a resolution that would overturn a Federal Communications Commission decision to allow E-Rate funding to be used for Wi-Fi hotspots for students, school staff and library patrons.

This episode of The Divide features a conversation with Danielle Perry, chief compliance officer at TruConnect, and a board member at the National Lifeline Association (NaLA), where she also chairs NaLA's regulatory and government affairs committee.

The White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has rescinded a memorandum that would have put a pause on all federal grant funds, creating significant confusion.

As we close out 2024, one question hanging over next year is what will come of federal broadband funding for high-cost and low-income programs?

The fiber broadband market is likely headed for more consolidation in the coming year, according to research from consulting firm AlixPartners. In a survey conducted in August 2024, AlixPartners found there are over 400 small fiber providers that are likely to merge or be acquired by larger providers and private equity firms.

Light Reading's Nicole Ferraro and Jake Varn, associate manager with Pew's Broadband Access Initiative, discuss how the lapse of the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) in May is now impacting states' plans t