News Update – Broadband & Telecom & FCC – September 2026
FCC Final Agenda For September 30th Open Meeting
September 23, 2026 – The Federal Communications Commission has released the following final agenda for the FCC’s open meeting on Wednesday, September 30, 2026:
Modernizing the Commission’s National Environmental Policy Act Rules – The Commission will consider a Report and Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to overhaul the Commission’s outdated National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) rules. These reforms will clarify the scope of Commission actions subject to environmental review and streamline and expedite the review process to ensure NEPA serves as a tool for informed decision-making rather than a barrier to investment, innovation, and connectivity. (WT Docket No. 25-217)
Unlocking Satellite Spectrum Abundance – The Commission will consider a Report and Order and Order of Proposed Modification and two Further Notices of Proposed Rulemaking that would increase the amount of spectrum available in order to support innovation in the American space economy. The Order would unlock more than 1,000 megahertz of spectrum in the 12.7 GHz and 42 GHz bands to provide greater capacity for satellite broadband to the home or for in-flight connectivity and the like. One FNPRM would seek comment on unlocking an additional 1,175 megahertz of spectrum in the Ku- and Ka-bands and 138.25 gigahertz in the D-band for more intensive use by satellite communications. The other FNPRM would seek comment on three new bands across thousands of megahertz that might be able to be used to control spacecraft or to provide data communications in support of emergent space activities, such as in-space servicing, assembly, and manufacturing. (SB Docket Nos. 25-180, 26-54; GN Docket Nos. 14-77, 22-352; WT Docket No. 23-158)
Unleashing the Power of Unlicensed UWB Devices – The Commission will consider a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that would modernize the rules for unlicensed Ultra-Wideband (UWB) devices. UWB devices operate under part 15 of the Commission's rules and support a wide variety of applications, including automobile sensors, door locks, ground- and wall-penetrating radars, and location tracking for NFL players during games. The NPRM would modernize the UWB rules by updating definitions, measurement procedures, technical parameters, and outdated restrictions, while removing unnecessary coordination requirements. The NPRM would also create a new UWB device category for emerging applications like AI-enabled sensing, and overall seek to future-proof UWB regulations for the next wave of innovation while maintaining protections for incumbent services. (ET Docket No. 26-245)
Modernizing the 911 Framework – The Commission will consider a Notice of Inquiry exploring modernization of the 911 framework to ensure the public can continue to effectively and reliably access emergency services in this era of rapid technological change. (PS Docket No. 26-197)
Enhancing the Ability of Consumers to Control Which Calls That They Wish to Receive – The Commission will consider a Report and Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking modernizing its Telephone Consumer Protection Act rules to ensure that consumers have easily accessible ways to opt-out of robocalls while streamlining callers’ ability to process consent revocation requests. (CG Docket No. 02-278)
The FCC’s Wednesday, September 30, 2026 open meeting is scheduled to commence at 10:30 a.m. ET in the Commission Meeting Room of the Federal Communications Commission, 45 L Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. The meeting is open to the public, but the FCC headquarters building is not open access, and all guests must check in with and be screened by FCC security at the main entrance on L Street. All FCC open meetings are streamed live at www.fcc.gov/live.
Another New Record! USF Contribution Factor For Fourth Quarter Of 2026 – 42%
September 14, 2026 – The FCC’s Office of Managing Director (OMD) has announced that the proposed universal service fund (USF) contribution factor for the fourth quarter of 2026 will be 42 percent. If the FCC takes no action on the proposed USF contribution factor within 14 days, it will be declared approved.
The 42% contribution factor for 4Q 2026 is a new all-time high. The previous record for the highest USF contribution factor was 38.8% which was used last quarter. Also, for the first time ever, the USF contribution factor has broken through 40%. Historical information on quarterly universal service fund contribution factors is available online from the FCC.
For the fourth quarter of 2026, the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) projects $6.909925 billion in total interstate and international end-user telecommunications revenues will be collected (3Q was $7.221914; 2Q was $7.553337, and 1Q was $7.604471).
USAC estimates that $2.026190 billion is needed to cover the total demand and expenses for all Federal universal service support mechanisms (revenue requirement) in the fourth quarter of 2026 (3Q was $2.003130, 2Q was $2.022700, and 1Q was $2.060770). Total fourth quarter 2026 demand includes projected program support, administrative expenses, and true-ups and adjustments, which breaks out among the USF support mechanisms as follows:
E-Rate Schools & Libraries: $627.85 million (3Q was $550.73 million, 2Q was $641.92 million, and 1Q was $648.93 million)
Rural Health Care: $132.78 million (3Q was $183.04 million, 2Q was $178.84 million, and 1Q was $181.11 million)
High-Cost: $1.07877 billion (3Q was $1.07906 billion, 2Q was $1.01156 billion, and 1Q was $1.00545 billion)
Lifeline: $186.79 million (3Q was $190.30 million, 2Q was $190.38 million, and 1Q was $225.28 million)
FCC Announces Tentative Agenda For September 30th Open Meeting
September 9, 2026 – Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr has announced the following tentative agenda for the FCC’s next open meeting scheduled for Wednesday, September 30, 2026:
Modernizing the Commission’s National Environmental Policy Act Rules – The Commission will consider a Report and Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to overhaul the Commission’s outdated National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) rules. These reforms will clarify the scope of Commission actions subject to environmental review and streamline and expedite the review process to ensure NEPA serves as a tool for informed decision-making rather than a barrier to investment, innovation, and connectivity. (WT Docket No. 25-217)
Unlocking Satellite Spectrum Abundance – The Commission will consider a Report and Order and Order of Proposed Modification and two Further Notices of Proposed Rulemaking that would increase the amount of spectrum available in order to support innovation in the American space economy. The Order would unlock more than 1,000 megahertz of spectrum in the 12.7 GHz and 42 GHz bands to provide greater capacity for satellite broadband to the home or for in-flight connectivity and the like. One FNPRM would seek comment on unlocking an additional 1,175 megahertz of spectrum in the Ku- and Ka-bands and 138.25 gigahertz in the D-band for more intensive use by satellite communications. The other FNPRM would seek comment on three new bands across thousands of megahertz that might be able to be used to control spacecraft or to provide data communications in support of emergent space activities, such as in-space servicing, assembly, and manufacturing. (SB Docket Nos. 25-180, 26-54; GN Docket Nos. 14-77, 22-352; WT Docket No. 23-158)
Unleashing the Power of Unlicensed UWB Devices – The Commission will consider a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that would modernize the rules for unlicensed Ultra-Wideband (UWB) devices. UWB devices operate under part 15 of the Commission's rules and support a wide variety of applications, including automobile sensors, door locks, ground- and wall-penetrating radars, and location tracking for NFL players during games. The NPRM would modernize the UWB rules by updating definitions, measurement procedures, technical parameters, and outdated restrictions, while removing unnecessary coordination requirements. The NPRM would also create a new UWB device category for emerging applications like AI-enabled sensing, and overall seek to future-proof UWB regulations for the next wave of innovation while maintaining protections for incumbent services. (ET Docket No. 26-245)
Modernizing the 911 Framework – The Commission will consider a Notice of Inquiry exploring modernization of the 911 framework to ensure the public can continue to effectively and reliably access emergency services in this era of rapid technological change. (PS Docket No. 26-197)
Enhancing the Ability of Consumers to Control Which Calls That They Wish to Receive – The Commission will consider a Report and Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking modernizing its Telephone Consumer Protection Act rules to ensure that consumers have easily accessible ways to opt-out of robocalls while streamlining callers’ ability to process consent revocation requests. (CG Docket No. 02-278)
The FCC’s Wednesday, September 30, 2026 open meeting is scheduled to commence at 10:30 a.m. ET in the Commission Meeting Room of the Federal Communications Commission, 45 L Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. The meeting is open to the public, but the FCC headquarters building is not open access, and all guests must check in with and be screened by FCC security at the main entrance on L Street. All FCC open meetings are streamed live at www.fcc.gov/live.
NTIA Announces Supplemental “True Up” Round Of BEAD Program Funding
September 3, 2026 – The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) has announced a new round of funding under the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program will be made available. The new round will allow states “to access additional BEAD funding to address locations that may remain unserved due to defaults in other federal and/or state programs, misreporting by providers, and other changes to the Federal Communication Commission’s (FCC) broadband DATA maps since the completion of Final Proposals.” NTIA has released a BEAD Supplemental Deployment Policy Notice which outlines the requirements and processes for the new funding round.
First, NTIA will provide each state with a list of unserved locations not addressed by the state’s Final Proposal (the Supplemental BEAD Eligible Location List). States will have 30 days to review the list and potentially remove locations subject to state or local enforceable funding commitments or other reasons. States must then publish the list of locations and hold a 30-day abbreviated challenge process which will only be used to remove locations from the Supplemental BEAD Eligible Location List. There will be no rebuttal round. States will submit a final location list to NTIA. Thereafter, NTIA will determine the amount of additional funding that should be released to each state to cover broadband deployment to their final Supplemental BEAD Eligible Location Lists. Once NTIA approves a state’s final location list and sets the total funding amount, the state has 90 days to conduct a second benefit of the bargain round. States must then send NTIA a Supplemental Deployment Plan and proposed budget modification. NTIA then has 90 days to approve a state’s Supplemental Deployment Plan.
Mergers & Acquisitions: Northeast Nebraska Telephone Company Purchasing Hooper Telephone Company (Westel Systems) & HTC Communications, LLC
September 3, 2026 – The FCC’s Wireline Competition Bureau is seeking public comment on a Section 214 application filed by Hooper Telephone Company d/b/a Westel Systems (Hooper), HTC Communications, L.L.C. (HTC), and Northeast Nebraska Telephone Company (NNTC), requesting consent to transfer control of Hooper and HTC to NNTC. Comments are due on or before September 17, 2026. Reply comments are due September 24, 2026.
Hooper is a Nebraska rural incumbent local exchange carrier (ILEC) serving approximately 245 access lines in four counties in northeastern Nebraska. Hooper wholly-owns the member interests in HTC, a Nebraska limited liability company, which provides resold domestic interstate interexchange long-distance services originated in and around Hooper’s service area. The only 10 percent or greater interest holder in Hooper is West Iowa Telephone Company (WITC) (94% interest), an Iowa corporation. WITC provides service as an incumbent local exchange carrier (LEC) to approximately 1,700 access lines in multiple counties in northeastern Iowa.
NNTC, a Nebraska corporation, provides telecommunications services and other services as a rural ILEC telephone cooperative operating in portions of 28 Nebraska counties to approximately 6,000 access lines in the northeast portion of Nebraska. NNTC also provides service as a competitive LEC in various counties in Nebraska.
Under the proposed transaction, NNTC will acquire 100 percent of the issued and outstanding stock of Hooper and HTC. As a result, NNTC will wholly-own and control Hooper and HTC. Following consummation, Hooper and HTC will continue to exist and operate in their respective service territories, under the same names, and provide service pursuant to then-existing rates, terms, and conditions. Because the proposed transaction is more complex than those accepted for streamlined treatment, and in order to analyze whether the proposed transaction would serve the public interest, the Wireline Competition Bureau has accepted the application for non-streamlined processing.
FCC Bans 7 Individuals From E-Rate Program & Other USF Support Programs For Three Years
September 3, 2026 – The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has issued Notices of Debarment from the universal service support mechanisms against seven individuals. Each person is banned from participating in activities associated with or related to the federal schools and libraries universal service support mechanism (E-Rate program) and any other program funded by federal universal service support mechanisms for three years. Each has been found guilty of crimes related to the USF-supported E-Rate program. The seven now banned individuals are: Donatus Anyanwu; Shawn Clemmons; Kenneth Collura; John Comito; Charles A. Jones; Mark Whitaker; and Donna Woods.
FCC Wants To Create A Robocall Scorecard To Assess Voice Providers’ Ability To Stop Illegal Robocalls
September 2, 2026 – The FCC’s Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau has issued a Public Notice which seeks public comment on establishing and publishing a robocall mitigation Scorecard. Comments are due on or before September 22, 2026. Reply comments are due October 2, 2026. The Scorecard proceeding is not a rulemaking and will not result in new FCC rules for voice service providers. The FCC intends the Scorecard to be a tool that “will empower consumers and encourage providers to continue to combat illegal robocalls by providing the public with an assessment of the effectiveness of voice service providers’ efforts to protect consumers from illegal robocall.” Comment is sought on how the FCC can make the Scorecard an effective tool for consumers, which voice service providers should receive Scorecard ratings, and the types of information that should be included in the ratings.
FCC Removes 14 Companies From Robocall Mitigation Database – Providers Must Cease Accepting Their Traffic
September 2, 2026 – The FCC’s Enforcement Bureau has issued an Order that removes the certifications of 14 companies from the FCC’s Robocall Mitigation Database (RMD). The 14 companies were removed from the RMD because they failed to cure deficiencies in their RMD certifications after being notified to do so by the Enforcement Bureau. All intermediate providers and voice service providers are now required to cease accepting all calls directly from the 14 companies which are listed in Appendix A to the Order. The 14 companies cannot re-file an RMD certification without the prior approval of the Enforcement Bureau and the Wireline Competition Bureau.
California Legislature Eliminates Private Right Of Action Under California Invasion Of Privacy Act For Certain Alleged Violations Arising From Websites & Online Applications
September 1, 2026 – On August 28, 2026, the California legislature passed a law (SB 690) which eliminates a private right of action under the California Invasion of Privacy Act (CIPA). It is expected to be signed by the California Governor, and would then go into effect January 1, 2027.
The new law authorizes only the California Attorney General to bring an action for a violation of California Penal Code Section 638.51 that is alleged to arise from conduct occurring on an internet website, online application, or mobile application.
Section 638.51 states that a person may not install or use a pen register or a trap and trace device without first obtaining a court order. Over the past few years, many individuals and Plaintiff attorneys have sent numerous threat letters to businesses across the country claiming the recipients’ websites employ tracking cookies, pixels, and other surveillance that function in the same way as trap and trace devices. The letters allege violations of Section 638.51 and seek preemptive settlements based on the threat of lawsuits seeking tens of thousands of dollars in damages.
The new California law will apply retroactively to claims that commenced within the last two years. However, it does not eliminate the ability of a private actor to bring a claim for all violation of privacy claims under CIPA § 631 for alleged wiretapping.
USAC Files Data For Fourth Quarter 2026 USF Contribution Base: $6,909,924,575
September 1, 2026 – The Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) has filed projected universal service fund (USF) contribution base data for the fourth quarter of calendar year 2026. The revenue data will be used to determine the USF contribution factor for 4Q 2026. For the fourth quarter of 2026, USAC has determined that the total projected collected interstate and international end user revenue base for the USF support mechanisms is $6,909,924,575.
The 4Q 2026 contribution base data was calculated using projected revenue amounts for October – December 2026 reported by telecommunications service providers on their FCC Forms 499-Q, which were due August 3, 2026. For the fourth quarter of 2026, USAC received projected revenue data from 3,191 USF contributors who filed the Form 499-Q. USAC estimated revenue data for 199 non-de minimis service providers that had previously submitted Form 499-Q information to USAC, but failed to make the latest 499-Q filing.
After the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) approves the total USF contribution base, the quarterly funding requirements for USF support mechanisms, and projected USF administrative costs, the FCC will establish a USF contribution factor for the fourth quarter of 2026. The new contribution factor will be announced by an FCC Public Notice. Acting on behalf of the FCC, USAC will then bill USF contributors on a monthly basis for their individual obligations based on the approved contribution factor. USAC’s universal service filings with the FCC are available online.
