This week, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) approved updates to its pole attachment rules aimed at accelerating broadband deployment. I’m about to lose you as I write the next two words—pole attachments—but, if you’ll kindly unglaze your eyes, this is a crucial issue in efforts to ensure broadband networks reach everyone in the U.S. When an internet service provider (ISP) is building a new broadband network or improving an existing one, it can bury cables in the ground or, if that is infeasible or too expensive, run those cables on existing utility poles. Therefore, utility poles and how ISPs gain access to them are central to broadband deployment. The historic public investments in broadband infrastructure provide us with a once-in-a-generation opportunity to ensure high-speed internet access reaches everywhere in the U.S. The success of these investments depends, in great part, on the ability of broadband deployers to be able to quickly gain access to existing infrastructure. For too long, a lack of standard rules and timelines for processing large broadband deployment orders has slowed rollouts and led to costly disputes. By encouraging communications companies and pole owners to collaborate on larger broadband deployments and by providing more concrete timelines, the FCC’s action may remove barriers to deployment.

The Federal Communications Commission voted to update its competitive bidding rules to enable the upcoming auction of AWS-3 spectrum licenses. The AWS-3 auction—the first in many years—will benefit consumers and the U.S. economy by unlocking more of the invisible airwaves that connect communities. The auction proceeds will fund the FCC’s ongoing efforts to protect American networks from untrustworthy and insecure foreign equipment. Over the last 30 years, FCC spectrum auctions have been instrumental in making the United States a global pioneer in wireless. In 2014, the Commission auctioned AWS-3 spectrum licenses for commercial use, but certain winning bidders defaulted soon after. As a result, approximately 200 licenses have remained unused in the FCC’s inventory for nearly a decade. With today’s decision, the FCC comes closer to putting those spectrum licenses to productive use. In the weeks and months ahead, the Commission will announce auction application deadlines and bidding procedures.

The Federal Communications Commission approved Skydance’s $8 billion acquisition of Paramount Global and its subsidiaries, including the ultimate parent company of the CBS network of owned and operated broadcast television stations, by granting a series of applications that transfer FCC licenses and authorizations.

• Commitment to Unbiased Journalism. Skydance has made written commitments to ensuring that the new company’s array of news and entertainment programming will embody a diversity of viewpoints across the political and ideological spectrum and that CBS’s reporting will be fair, unbiased, and fact-based. To promote transparency and increased accountability, Skydance commits, for a period of at least two years, to have in place an ombudsman who will report to the President of New Paramount and evaluate complaints of bias.
• Ensures that Discriminatory DEI Policies End. Skydance, which has no DEI programs in place today, has committed that it will not establish any such initiatives at the new company and confirms that New Paramount will also be committed to equal opportunity employment and nondiscrimination. This will ensure that the combined business will enact policies and practices consistent with the law and the public interest.
• Injection of New Capital and Enhanced Local News. Approving this transaction will unleash the investment of $1.5 billion into Paramount, bolstering all aspects of its operations, including broadcast. Skydance also reaffirms its commitment to localism as a core component of the public interest standard, and emphasizes that it will work closely with its affiliated broadcast stations to ensure a productive partnership that will strengthen its affiliates’ ability to serve their local communities.

My Administration has inaugurated a golden age for American manufacturing and technological dominance. We will pursue bold, large-scale industrial plans to vault the United States further into the lead on critical manufacturing processes and technologies that are essential to national security, economic prosperity, and scientific leadership. These plans include artificial intelligence data centers and infrastructure that powers them, including high‑voltage transmission lines and other equipment. It will be a priority of my Administration to facilitate the rapid and efficient buildout of this infrastructure by easing Federal regulatory burdens. In addition, my Administration will utilize federally owned land and resources for the expeditious and orderly development of data centers. This usage will be done in a manner consistent with the land’s intended purpose—to be used in service of the prosperity and security of the American people.