What's on the agenda for policymakers.
Agenda
As fiber remains the gold standard for broadband infrastructure, service providers face increasingly challenging economic and geographic barriers to extend networks to every location. This webinar explores how next-generation fixed wireless access (ngFWA) technology — such as Tarana’s platform — can complement fiber deployments by efficiently bridging the last mile and accelerating time to revenue in hard-to-reach areas.
FCC Adopts USAC Reform NPRM
Last month, we summarized the FCC's draft Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, Maximizing Efficiencies in Universal Service Administration (WC Docket No. 26-173). The FCC adopted that item on August 6, 2026, and released the final version on August 7. The bulk of what we wrote last month still holds. This update covers what changed between the draft and the adopted item.
Permitting is a critical link that supports successful broadband deployment. It secures lawful access to public and private rights-of-way, poles, and conduit, and it aligns with environmental and historic preservation responsibilities—getting it right ensures that projects can move from design to construction without costly delays.
A workshop for Tribal Nations and Native Hawaiian Organizations (NHOs) designed to provide information on a broad range of FCC initiatives that support the deployment of communications infrastructure and services nationwide, including on Tribal lands. The workshop’s duration is a day and a half. The first day will cover important broadband topics, including a multi-agency discussion on federal broadband funding with the National Telecommunications and Information Administration and Rural Utilities Service.
What Are Companies Getting for All That A.I. Spending?
Corporate America was enthusiastic about artificial intelligence. Until it got the bill. Whiplash around spending on “tokens,” the units of computing power in which A.I. is sold, is hitting engineering teams and board rooms. First there was “tokenmaxxing,” as executives encouraged as much A.I. use as possible.
White House AI Guidelines Exempt U.S. Open Models From Government Review
Apparently, the Trump administration’s new guidelines for powerful artificial-intelligence tools exempt open models made by U.S. companies, a gap that marks the White House’s latest bid to ensure AI tools are safe without slowing down innovation. Under a framework that administration officials discussed with executives from leading AI companies, only makers of closed, proprietary U.S.
Federal Universal Service Support Mechanisms Fund Size Projections for Fourth Quarter 2026
The Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) projects a consolidated budget of $68.06 million for the federal Universal Service Support Mechanism in 4Q2026. Direct costs for all support mechanisms total $30.53 million. Joint and common costs (including billing, collection, and disbursement activities) total $37.53 million. Universal Service Support Mechanisms include High Cost, Low Income, Rural Health Care, Schools and Libraries, and Connected Care Pilot.
Topics selected for FCC open meeting agendas will be posted on the Commission's website approximately three weeks prior to the Commission's next monthly meeting. The Commission will also issue a public notice of the "Commission Meeting Agenda" one week before the meeting and announce at that time the items that are scheduled for the agenda.
Topics selected for FCC open meeting agendas will be posted on the Commission's website approximately three weeks prior to the Commission's next monthly meeting. The Commission will also issue a public notice of the "Commission Meeting Agenda" one week before the meeting and announce at that time the items that are scheduled for the agenda.
Topics selected for FCC open meeting agendas will be posted on the Commission's website approximately three weeks prior to the Commission's next monthly meeting. The Commission will also issue a public notice of the "Commission Meeting Agenda" one week before the meeting and announce at that time the items that are scheduled for the agenda.