Wireless Telecommunications

The Federal Communications Commission voted to launch a proceeding to explore new avenues for enabling innovative unlicensed wireless devices to communicate directly with satellites.

SpaceX reported results for the second quarter of 2026. Highlights include:

The Federal Communications Commission announced the return of $881 million in unused funds from the TV Broadcaster Relocation Fund, known as the “Repack,” marking a significant milestone in the successful conclusion of the first-ever spectrum Incentive Auction. Initiated on April 13, 2017, the Incentive Auction repurposed 84 megahertz of low-band broadcast spectrum for commercial and unlicensed wireless use, generating $19.3 billion in net winning bids.

Well-regarded telecommunications and cable analyst Craig Moffett from MoffettNathanson had some harsh words for the Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment Program in a recent note for investors. He said that because BEAD has taken so long—five years since it was established by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act—private investors have stopped paying attention to it. And in fact, private industry has moved on to close the digital divide in its own ways.

Wireless carriers are resolving customer problems faster, delivering consistently high-quality service and demonstrating great value for the price they are paying. Overall customer satisfaction with wireless carriers is up 10 points (on a 1,000-point scale) on average. Increased use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the customer support function is playing an important role in changing the way customers interact with their carriers, but is delivering mixed results when it comes to overall customer satisfaction.

The regulation and competition within the electronic communications market has changed fundamentally over the last 25 years. Initially, the focus was on opening up previously monopolistic telecommunications markets. The electronic communications markets, which were originally clearly demarcated, have since given way to a highly dynamic and complex ICT ecosystem consisting of diverse market participants, technologies, infrastructures, digital services, platforms, and political objectives.

The Trump Administration has cleared plans to study the 4.4 Gigahertz (GHz) band for full-power commercial licensed use, a key milestone in the Administration’s efforts to advance America’s 6G leadership.  With this final study package being notified to Congress, the Administration has cleared the last milestone to begin four simultaneous repurposing band studies—an unprecedented accomplishment.

This July marks the one-year anniversary of the Big Beautiful Bill’s enactment.

The Federal Communications Commission's Wireline Competition Bureau (Bureau) announced the minimum service standards for Lifeline-supported services as required by the 2016 Lifeline Order. The 2016 Lifeline Order established minimum service standards for certain Lifeline-supported services and established annual increases in those standards either in the FCC’s rules or pursuant to calculations set out in the Order and the FCC’s rules. Accordingly, the Bureau announced the minimum service standards for fixed and mobile broadband data usage allowance.

AT&T Internet Air has reached 2 million subscribers, marking a major milestone for AT&T’s 5G home internet service. After taking roughly two years to reach its first 1 million subscribers, AT&T Internet Air added its second million in about a year—doubling its customer base in about half the time. At the same time, 1 million AT&T Internet Air subscribers also have AT&T wireless service. AT&T is continuing to make Internet Air easier to get and start using.