Wireless Internet

AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon have an agreement in principle to form a new joint venture which aims to help end wireless dead zones in the U.S., including in rural areas, by pooling limited spectrum resources to increase capacity, improve the customer experience, and help satellite providers reach more customers through a unified platform. The JV remains subject to negotiating definitive agreements between the parties and satisfying customary closing conditions.

Some Ohio locations awarded to satellite internet service providers as part of a $42.45 billion grant program are obstructed by tree cover, a recent analysis found. Tom Reid, head of Reid Consulting, analyzed about 30,000 of the locations in Ohio that are set to receive service from SpaceX through the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment program, and found as many as 70 percent were covered by tree canopy that would prevent the minimum 110-degree field of view the company’s dishes require. Depending on the coverage—satellite imagery showed 5 percent of the locations were completely cove

The wireless industry, fueled by continual innovation and vigorous competition, has a long track record of delivering ever greater value to American consumers. CTIA’s 2026 Wireless Affordability Tracker surveys advertised unlimited plans and more affordable prepaid options, as well as a variety of government data, all showing wireless prices declining. Wireless is helping fight inflation, allowing consumers to spend more elsewhere. What’s more, wireless networks keep getting better.

On May 1, 2026, Nextlink Internet activated the first tower in the nation funded by the federal Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program. The site is located in southern Bienville Parish (LA), bringing service to 104 BEAD locations in Bossier Parish. It is delivering up to gigabit-speed internet to homes and businesses across northwest Louisiana via fixed wireless infrastructure.

The Federal Communications Commission adopted a Report and Order that revises the spectrum sharing framework for Geostationary Orbit and Non-Geostationary Orbit systems that currently relies on NGSO systems complying with Equivalent Power Flux Density limits developed in the late-1990s.

With this decision, the Federal Communications Commission put Build America into action. America’s world-leading networks are built on wireless infrastructure, and EchoStar’s refusal to honor its obligations threatened that foundation. Chairman Carr listened. This decision ensures critical wireless spectrum is put to its highest use, while supporting the infrastructure providers that make connectivity possible. Thank you to Chairman Carr and the FCC’s incredible staff for continued leadership that strengthens America’s security and competitiveness.

Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr announced that the agency approved two transactions that will further secure U.S. leadership in wireless and next-generation technology, including emerging direct-to-device offerings. The two transactions—collectively surpassing $40 billion in deal value—will allow the private sector to light up a large swath of approximately 115 megahertz of underused mid-band spectrum for the benefit of the American people.

The Citizens Broadband Radio Service community has a message for anyone pushing for higher CBRS power levels: back off. CBRS proponents held a webinar hosted by New America where they highlighted two studies—one showing how the private wireless CBRS network market is growing and another describing the enormous disruption that would result if higher power levels were introduced. For the past several years, wireless carriers have been pushing for higher power base stations in the 3.55-3.7 GHz CBRS ban

At the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, we are moving with urgency to modernize federal operations, improve efficiency, and get more spectrum into the marketplace. Our goal is to meet and hopefully exceed Congress’ timeline to find the spectrum that will power the next generation of wireless innovation. I look forward to delving into status of the bands we are studying and how we plan to meet our targets. I also want to highlight a new tool from NTIA that will track our progress in real time.

The broadband industry’s policy environment has been undergoing a historic transformation. Unprecedented federal investment has been met with growing state and local support and a new drive by private industry to fund and upgrade millions of new connections and deploy much-needed backhaul. The surest way to ensure the United States maintains its competitive edge is to start by ensuring every community is connected to high-speed internet that will allow every American to fully participate in society. It best aligns with the modern concept of reliable, scalable broadband.