Wireless Internet

Another round of debate is wrapping up as the Federal Communications Commission sails ahead with a plan to auction off a slice of upper C-band spectrum for 5G and future 6G services. A good portion of the discussion centers on how much spectrum should be auctioned. The FCC is in the process of setting rules for an auction of at least 100MHz of upper C-band spectrum, with the potential to release as much as 180MHz of spectrum in that band (3.98GHz-4.2GHz).

The Federal Communications Commission adopted new rules to expand access to spectrum for utilities, critical infrastructure, and enterprise businesses deploying private 900 MHz broadband networks.

Speaking at a Senate hearing about the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment program, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick indicated states may have a chance to replace providers that won't adhere to BEAD rules.

The Federal Communications Commission adopted a proposal to reform the agency’s federal Lifeline program, which accounts for nearly $1 billion in spending every year. Through the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, the FCC seeks comment on program reforms that are designed to ensure that the Lifeline program is efficient, transparent, and accountable—while continuing to support Americans who rely on it. The Notice of Proposed Rulemaking proposes program reforms to ensure the program helps the people it is intended to benefit.

About mid-way through T-Mobile’s two+ hour Capital Markets Day presentation, CFO Peter Osvaldik dropped a bit of a bombshell: Beginning in Q1 2026, the company will no longer be reporting postpaid phone net adds. What?!!!!! For years, this has been the metric used to gauge the growth (or lack thereof) of mobile carriers. It’s the easy button for comparing how the carriers are doing against their rivals. If one has a blockbuster quarter and another tanks, it’s right there in the net adds. The move didn’t seem to go over well among analysts who crunch numbers for a living.

States, territories, and their communities that lack sufficient internet access have been wondering what will happen to the Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) Program's "nondeployment funds"—funds left over after a state meets BEAD’s infrastructure deployment goals.

The Federal Communications Commission recently granted Amazon Leo the authority to launch 4,500 more satellites. Recently, Amazon Leo asked the FCC for permission to extend its deadline to launch 3,232 satellites until July 30, 2028. The FCC hasn’t ruled on that request yet, but it’s generally expected to approve it.

The Trump administration covertly sent thousands of Starlink terminals into Iran after the regime’s brutal crackdown on demonstrations last month, U.S. officials said, an effort to keep dissidents online following Tehran’s stifling of internet access.

The New Mexico Office of Broadband Access and Expansion (OBAE) announced six grants to implement or expand public Wi-Fi service across New Mexico. Two cities, two counties, a university, and an internet service provider received awards through OBAE’s Community Connect Grant Program, designed to expand free Wi-Fi in public places, such as plazas, parks, and municipal buildings.  The six awardees receiving a total of $6.72 million in Community Connect grants include:

States can proceed with their Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment plans without any say from SpaceX, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick told senators. Regarding the proposed subgrantee agreement SpaceX sent to states, Sen Lutnick confirmed at a hearing “that rider is outside of our guidelines, it is outside the statute, and it is rejected by us.” The document asked states to