Although Phileas Fogg famously traveled around the world in 80 days, at a Senate Appropriations hearing, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick outlined a more ambitious task: completing Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) Program funding by the end of 2025. Secretary Lutnick floated a new notice of funding opportunity (known as an NOFO) for the BEAD program with requirements for states to be “tech agnostic” or “tech neutral” and nevertheless claimed final awards could go out before the end of the year. The details remain scarce. States had expected BEAD revisions via “NTIA guidance” after a “rigorous review” announced by Secretary Lutnick in early March. A new NOFO may mean more extensive changes to states’ existing plans and planned awards. Secretary Lutnick said states will be required to apply within 90 days, but what that means for states and subrecipients remains unclear. Also unclear is what Secretary Lutnick means by “tech agnostic” or “tech neutral.” In an exchange during the hearing with Senator Gary Peters (D-MI), Secretary Lutnick promised quick approval of state proposals “as long as you are technologically agnostic and you agree to provide the broadband at the cheapest price per use.” Secretary Lutnick also suggested that BEAD would be refocused on just broadband access. Everything else—which he called “noise”—would be eliminated. The law that created the BEAD Program allows states to fund broadband adoption efforts, including providing affordable internet-capable devices.” West Virginia, for example, was planning to use $30 million of its BEAD funding to train West Virginians for good-paying jobs and build the talent needed to support the broadband industry. Lutnick’s testimony indicates that he may eliminate such uses of BEAD funding.

The Trump Administration pulled the plug on Vermont's $5.3 million 'Digital Equity' program in May. The program would have bridged Vermont's digital divide, providing devices and digital training to people who cannot access the internet, making broadband more accessible and affordable to folks living in rural communities, low-income households and people facing other digital barriers. Now, some have been left behind. Federal officials claim that the program was created using diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) framework. Vermont's Community Broadband Board says that is just not the case. "Too bad we didn't have the foresight to know that this word 'equity' would cause so much trouble" said executive director Christine Hallquist. "It's called a digital dignity program but 95% of Vermonters qualify within the subgroups." So, now they are taking this to court with the help of the state. "We sue. If we are able, we file an immediate motion for preliminary injunction," said Attorney General Charity Clark. "In our experience, the court acts very quickly to make sure the harm that's being done stops immediately."

EchoStar is skipping another interest payment as it awaits the conclusion of a review by the Federal Communications Commission.The Englewood (CO) owner of Dish TV and Boost Mobile said it wouldn’t make a $183 million cash interest payment related to its Dish DBS company. The missed payment comes after the company said it elected not to make a $326 million interest payment related to its spectrum business. EchoStar said it isn’t making these payments because of uncertainty surrounding an FCC review. On May 9, the FCC notified the company it was reviewing its compliance with certain federal obligations to provide 5G service in the U.S. The uncertainty has caused EchoStar to freeze its decision-making for its Boost business, including at its network build-out, it said.

Generative AI systems are increasingly being employed globally, bringing with them both tremendous promise and substantial potential for harm. As is often the case, governance initiatives are lagging behind technological diffusion. This article looks to the very recent past—the rise of social media platforms and their associated algorithmic systems—as a guide for ongoing and future conversations about the governance of generative AI. In addressing this topic, this paper will explore issues such as the valorization of innovation as a guiding governance principle, the limitations of self-regulation, and the need for a dedicated regulatory body. All of these key components of the failure of social media governance have clear applications to, and lessons for, the governance of generative AI—a context in which the stakes may be even higher.

Federal Communications Commissioner Nathan Simington announced his departure from the agency. "As I turn the page on this chapter, I do so with immense gratitude for the opportunity to serve and for the many colleagues and friends who made this journey so meaningful. I look forward to continuing to serve the public interest in the years ahead and to contributing to the vital conversations surrounding our communications infrastructure, national security, and technological leadership. I remain committed to advancing the cause of limited government, free speech, and American innovation. These principles guided my time at the Commission and will continue to shape my future endeavors. As I move forward, I remain committed to shaping the future of communications policy and will continue to advocate for the values and priorities that have guided my public service."

Federal Communications Commissioner Simington’s sudden departure effectively leaves the agency without a bipartisan quorum, which stalls its ability to move forward with any meaningful actions—a move that will likely result in painful consequences throughout the communications ecosystem for consumers. From helping students access online educational tools to ensuring workers can apply for new opportunities or patients can reach their telehealth providers, the FCC is responsible for connecting our communities to affordable, reliable high-speed internet. A non-functional agency will harm access to reliable communications networks during emergencies, availability of spectrum for wireless innovators, and connectivity for those on the wrong side of the digital divide. We urge the president and the Senate to quickly nominate and confirm both a qualified Democratic and Republican commissioner to preserve the agency’s critical role. We support a fully staffed, independent, and bipartisan Commission to ensure it can efficiently fulfill its mission of providing equitable communications access to all.