Press Release

Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr announced the appointment of additional FCC leadership positions. 

• Tom Sullivan, Acting Chief of the Office of International Affairs.
• Ira Keltz, Acting Chief Engineer, Office of Engineering and Technology.
• Catherine Matraves, Acting Chief of the Office of Economics and Analytics.
• Katie Gorscak, Acting Director of the Office of Media Relations.

Spectrum announced the launch of Spectrum Internet, Mobile, TV and Voice services to more than 3,100 homes and small businesses across McMinn and Meigs Counties (TN). Spectrum’s multi-year Rural Construction Initiative is an investment of approximately $9 billion – partly offset by over $2 billion in government support funding – that will ultimately connect approximately 1.75 million new homes and small businesses across the country.

The Healey-Driscoll administration and the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative’s Massachusetts Broadband Institute (MBI) announced $12,671,242 to expand internet in locations unserved and underserved by broadband in 96 cities and towns across the state.

The Federal Trade Commission approved a motion to give Chairman Andrew N. Ferguson authority needed to comply with President Trump’s executive orders ending DEI [diversity, equity, and inclusion] across the federal government. A motion to grant that authority to the Chairman was approved by a vote of 2-1-2. Commissioners Rebecca K. Slaughter and Lina M. Khan did not participate.

Federal Communications Commissioner Geoffrey Starks announced the following changes to his team. Milla Anderson, formerly Commissioner Starks’ Policy Advisor, departed the FCC.  Anderson joins the private sector. Following Anderson’s departure, Kiara Ortiz will be serving as Acting Legal Advisor. Ortiz comes from the FCC’s Wireline Competition Bureau where she is Legal Advisor to the Bureau Chief.  She began her career at the FCC as an Honors Attorney.  She has a J.D. from American University Washington College of Law and a B.A. from Spelman College.  

Rep Rick Allen (R-GA) introduced the Spectrum Pipeline Act of 2025. This legislation extends the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) spectrum auction authority and seeks to ensure the efficient allocation of mid-band spectrum, a resource critical for the advancement of 5G and next-generation technologies. Specifically, the bill:

Two Penn State faculty members recognized for their expertise in broadband and digital access helped shape an effort that secured a five-year, $11.9 million grant that aims to benefit residents of the city of Philadelphia. Christopher Ali and Sascha Meinrath both members of the Donald P. Bellisario College of Communications, co-funded and help run the Pennsylvania Broadband Research Institute (PBRI), which is a partner in the grant.

Sens Susan Collins (R-ME) and Angus King (I-ME) are announcing the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) is awarding $24.8 million to expand broadband and digital skills training across Maine. Awarded through the NTIA’s Digital Equity Competitive Grant Program, this Maine funding will ensure communities have the access and skills to fully participate in the digital world, regardless of their background or circumstances.

The Fiber Broadband Association announced the results of the Fiber Deployment survey by RVA LLC Market Research & Consulting (RVA). The survey concludes fiber broadband deployments reached a new annual record of 10.3 million U.S. homes passed in 2024. Including homes with more than one passing, there are now a total 88.1 million homes passed with fiber in the U.S.

The Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) has formally received two project rescope requests from the following Virginia Telecommunication Initiative (VATI) awardees to rescope their current VATI project area to