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Biennial Recertification Of ILEC Study Area Boundary Data Due June 30, 2025

May 20, 2025 – The FCC’s Office of Economics and Analytics and Wireline Competition Bureau have announced that the filing deadline for the biennial recertification of study area boundary data is June 30, 2025. Study area boundary data must be recertified by either incumbent local exchange carriers (ILECs) or state commissions that have voluntarily agreed to file study area boundary data on behalf of some or all ILECs operating within their jurisdictions. Current study area boundary map data are available online. Instructions for viewing the map data can be accessed online. Additional information on the study area boundary data collection is available on the FCC’s study area boundary webpage at http://www.fcc.gov/encyclopedia/study-area-boundary-data-collection.

E-Rate Funding Will Cover Demand For Category One And Category Two Service Requests In Funding Year 2025

May 20, 2025 – The FCC’s Wireline Competition Bureau has announced that there is sufficient funding available to fully meet the Universal Service Administrative Company’s (USAC) estimated demand for category one and category two requests for E-Rate-supported services for funding year 2025. USAC estimates the total demand for funding year 2025 will be $3.225 billion, which includes estimated demand for category one services of $1.806 billion, and of $1.418 billion for category two services. The E-Rate program inflation-based cap for funding year 2025 is $5.059 billion. As of March 31, 2025, USAC projects that $500 million in unused funds from prior funding years is available for use in E-Rate funding year 2025. The Wireline Bureau has directed USAC to use $500 million in unused E-Rate funds to offset the collection requirements needed to fully meet demand for category one and category two requests submitted for funding year 2025.

Mergers & Acquisitions: FCC Approves Verizon’s $20 Billion Acquisition Of Frontier

May 16, 2025 – The FCC’s Wireline Competition Bureau, Office of International Affairs, and Wireless Telecommunications Bureau have issued a Memorandum Opinion And Order that approves the transfer of control of domestic and international section 214 authorizations and wireless licenses held by wholly-owned subsidiaries of  Frontier Communications Parent, Inc. (Frontier) to Verizon Communications Inc. (Verizon). The FCC’s reasoning for granting the transfer of control application is summarized as follows:

After carefully and thoroughly reviewing the record and evaluating the likely public interest effects of the proposed transfer, we do not find any material transaction-related public interest harms arising from the proposed transfers of control. Further, we find that certain public interest benefits are likely to be realized, including the upgrading and expansion of Frontier’s fiber network. Accordingly, we conclude that granting the applications serves the public interest, convenience, and necessity.

The FCC approved the acquisition following Verizon’s decision to end its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) program. Paragraph 33 of the Memorandum Opinion And Order addresses the Verizon’s decision to end its DEI policy and practices:

We also recognize Verizon’s commitment to equal opportunity employment and nondiscrimination as strengthening its investment and service quality efforts. Verizon states it is modifying its practices, including its leadership structure, training, corporate sponsorships, supplier selection, hiring, career development resources, and public and internal messaging, and has also committed to applying these changes to Frontier following the close of the proposed Transaction. We accept Verizon’s commitment to modify its practices as firm and definite, and expect that these changes will prevent DEI discrimination in the post-transaction company, as consistent with the law and the public interest.

Mergers & Acquisitions: Charter Communications Merging With Cox Communications In $34.5 Billion Deal

May 16, 2025 – Charter Communications, Inc. and Cox Communications have announced that they have entered into an agreement to merge their companies. Charter is one of the largest U.S. broadband providers, with roughly 30.1 million broadband customers across 41 states. Cox is the largest private broadband company in the U.S., serving around seven million homes and businesses across 18 states.

Within a year after the deal closes, the combined company will change its name to Cox Communications, and Spectrum will become the consumer-facing brand within the communities Cox serves. The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, regulatory approvals, and Charter shareholder approvals. The combined entity will assume Cox’s approximately $12 billion in outstanding debt. Charter’s press release announcing the deal provides the following additional details of the transaction:

  • Charter will acquire Cox Communications’ commercial fiber and managed IT and cloud businesses, and Cox Enterprises will contribute Cox Communications’ residential cable business to Charter Holdings, an existing subsidiary partnership of Charter.

  • The proposed transaction values Cox Communications at an enterprise value of approximately $34.5 billion.

  • As consideration in the transaction, Cox Enterprises will receive: $4 billion in cash; $6 billion notional amount of convertible preferred units in Charter’s existing partnership, which pay a 6.875% coupon, and which are convertible into Charter partnership units, which are then exchangeable for Charter common shares; and Approximately 33.6 million common units in Charter’s existing partnership, with an implied value of $11.9 billion, and which are exchangeable for Charter common shares.

  • The combined company will remain headquartered in Stamford, CT, and will maintain a significant presence on Cox’s Atlanta, GA campus following the closing.

  • Based on Charter’s share count as of March 31, 2025, at the closing, Cox Enterprises will own approximately 23% of the combined entity’s fully diluted shares outstanding, on an as-converted, as-exchanged basis, and pro forma for the closing of the Liberty Broadband merger.

  • Charter expects approximately $500 million of annualized cost synergies achieved within three years of close – stemming from typical procurement and overhead savings. 

FCC Releases Final Agenda For Open Meeting On May 22nd

May 15, 2025 – The Federal Communications Commission has released the following final agenda for its next open meeting on Thursday, May 22, 2025:

  • Promoting the Integrity and Security of Telecommunications Certification Bodies, Measurement Facilities, and the Equipment Authorization Program – The Commission will consider a Report and Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that would strengthen requirements and oversight relating to telecommunications certification bodies (TCBs), measurement facilities (test labs), and accreditation bodies to help ensure the integrity of these entities for purposes of our equipment authorization program, to better protect national security, and to advance the Commission’s comprehensive strategy to build a more secure and resilient communications supply chain. (ET Docket No. 24-136)

  • Protecting our Communications Networks by Promoting Transparency Regarding Foreign Adversary Control – The Commission will consider a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that proposes to require holders of covered Commission-issued licenses, authorizations, or approvals to certify whether they are owned by, controlled by, or subject to the jurisdiction or direction of a foreign adversary and, if so, to disclose foreign ownership interests and the nature of the foreign adversary ownership and control. (GN Docket No. 25-166)

  • Expanding Use of the 12.7-13.25 GHz Band for Mobile Broadband or Other Expanded Use; Shared Use of the 42-42.5 GHz Band; Use of Spectrum Bands Above 24 GHz For Mobile Radio Services – The Commission will consider a Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that explores ways that the 12.7-13.25 GHz and 42.0-42.5 GHz bands could be used more intensively by satellite communications, as an alternative or a complement to the previous proposals for terrestrial wireless communications in these bands. (GN Docket No. 22-352, WT Docket No. 23-158, GN Docket No. 14-177)

The FCC’s May 22nd 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.

ESPN Announces Direct-To-Consumer Streaming Service

May 13, 2025 – ESPN has announced that it will soon release a direct-to-consumer streaming service containing all of its programming, with various monthly or annual pricing plans. The ESPN unlimited plan will provide access to all of ESPN’s linear networks and all of ESPN’s other content for $29.99 per month or $299.99 annually. The select plan will provide access to all content available on ESPN+, ESPN studio shows, on-demand replays, and original content for $11.99 per month. ESPN also will offer bundles with Disney+ and Hulu. Additional details, including the specific launch date, will be announced later this summer.

FCC Commissioner Nathan Simington: Slash the Universal Service Fund

May 9, 2025 – Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Commissioner Nathan Simington and his Chief of Staff Gavin Wax have written an opinion piece in the Daily Caller titled “It’s Time For Trump To DOGE The FCC.” In the article, Commissioner Simington says “[t]he FCC is a prime candidate for DOGE-style reform.” He offers four suggestions for making DOGE-style reforms to the FCC, two of which relate to the universal service fund:

2. Slash the Universal Service Fund and Related Mandates

Few Americans realize that federally mandated fees, which are set at the sole discretion of the FCC, not Congress, to raise the cost of monthly phone bills for voice service by over 36 percent. These fees fund a patchwork of programs under the Universal Service Fund (USF), including the Internet Protocol Captioned Telephone Service (IP CTS) and other telecommunications relay services. While originally well-intentioned, many of these programs have become outdated, inefficient, and ripe for reform.

3. Modernize the Universal Service Fund Model

The broader USF is an amalgam of obsolete and overlapping initiatives. Programs like E-rate and Lifeline, while once valuable, have lost relevance in the age of widespread mobile internet and emerging satellite services. Wired internet subsidies are increasingly unnecessary and cost-inefficient.

The rise of satellite broadband, such as Starlink, and fixed wireless alternatives offer a more scalable, less expensive solution. Rather than spending billions to trench fiber cable to remote areas, the FCC should adopt a technology-neutral approach that lets innovation drive infrastructure deployment. Reforming USF to reflect these realities is long overdue and would align with DOGE’s mission of smarter, leaner government.

Senate Passes Congressional Review Act Resolution To Rescind FCC Rule Authorizing E-Rate Funding For Wi-Fi Hotspots

May 8, 2025 – The United States Senate has passed a joint resolution (S.J.Res.7) under the Congressional Review Act which disapproves the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) rule that authorizes E-Rate funding for Wi-Fi hotspots. In July 2024, the FCC approved a Report and Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking “to modernize the E-Rate program to meet the evolving needs of schools and libraries around the country by allowing for the distribution of Wi-Fi hotspots and services to students, school staff, and library patrons for off-premises use.” The Senate resolution canceling the E-Rate hotspot program passed by a vote of 50-38, and now moves to the House of Representatives for consideration. The Congressional Review Act (5 U.S.C. §§801-808) gives Congress a process for overturning certain federal agency actions.

Lowering Broadband Costs for Consumers Act of 2025  Introduced In The Senate – Would Require Broadband & Edge Providers To Contribute To USF

May 7, 2025 – Senators Markwayne Mullin (R-OK), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Mike Crapo (R-ID), and Kevin Cramer (R-ND) have introduced the Lowering Broadband Costs for Consumers Act of 2025 (S. 1651). It has been referred to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. If passed into law, the bill would direct the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to require broadband service providers and broadband edge service providers to contribute to the Universal Service Fund (USF). It also would do the following:

  • Direct the FCC to reform the USF by expanding the base so that edge providers and broadband providers contribute on an equitable and nondiscriminatory basis to preserve and advance universal service;

  • Limit assessments of edge providers to only those with more than 3% of the estimated quantity of broadband data transmitted in the United States and more than $5 billion in annual revenue;

  • Direct the FCC to adopt a new mechanism under the current USF high-cost program to provide specific, predictable, and sufficient support for expenses incurred by broadband providers that are not otherwise recovered; and

  • Limit the FCC’s authority over edge providers and broadband providers only to requiring contributions to the USF.

All ETCs Must File FCC Form 481  By July 1, 2025

May 6, 2025 – All eligible telecommunications carriers (ETCs) participating in the universal service High Cost or Lifeline programs y must file Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Form 481 for program year 2026 by July 1, 2025. FCC Form 481 is accessible through the Universal Service Administrative Company’s (USAC) E-file One Portal. Section 54.313 of the FCC’s rules requires ETCs participating in the High Cost or Lifeline programs to file FCC Form 481 on an annual basis. FCC Form 481 gathers information about a carrier’s holding company, operating companies, affiliates and branding designations (doing-business-as or DBA); ability to function in emergency situations; terrestrial backhaul; Tribal lands engagement; comparability of voice and broadband service rates in rural and urban areas; and supply chain certification. USAC has posted the FCC Form 481 template, filing instructions, and other related upload templates, to its website. These documents also are available on USAC’s Form 481 resource page.

FCC Requests Public Comment On Whether 2,057 Docketed FCC Proceedings Should Be Terminated As Dormant

May 2, 2025 – The FCC’s Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau (CGB) has released a Public Notice that seeks public comment on whether 2,057 docketed FCC proceedings should be terminated as dormant. Specifically, the CGB would like commenters to provide reasons why specific dockets should not be terminated as inactive or moot. Comments are due on or before 30 days after the date the Public Notice is published in the Federal Register. Reply comments are due 45 days after publication. All filings should reference the following docket number: CG Docket No. 25-165. Under the FCC’s rules, the Chief of CGB is authorized to periodically review all open FCC dockets and, in consultation with the responsible FCC Bureaus or Offices, to identify dockets that appear to be candidates for termination. Such dockets “include dockets in which no further action is required or contemplated as well as those in which no pleadings or other documents have been filed for several years.” However, the FCC’s rules also state that “proceedings in which petitions addressing the merits are pending should not be terminated, absent the parties’ consent.” The CGB has released a list of the dockets identified for termination which are sorted by responsible Bureau or Office and Proceeding Number.

USAC Issues Third Quarter 2025 Fund Size Projections For Universal Service Support Mechanisms

May 2, 2025 – The Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) has filed the Federal Universal Service Support Mechanisms Fund Size Projections for the third quarter of 2025. The filing details the universal service fund’s (USF) total projected funding requirements for 3Q 2025, which includes costs that can be directly attributed to the High Cost, Low Income, Rural Health Care, and Schools and Libraries Support Mechanisms, as well as Connected Care Pilot Program costs, and projected administrative expenditures of each mechanism. All of USAC’s filings to the FCC are available here. USAC’s data shows the following total projected 3Q 2025 funding requirements for each USF support mechanism:

  • High Cost Support Mechanism  –  $1.05065 billion (2Q 2025 was $1.1239 billion)

  • Low Income Support Mechanism  –  $244.93 million (2Q 2025 was $305.12 million)

  • Rural Health Care Support Mechanism  –  $179.03 (2Q 2025 was $176.10 million)

  • Connected Care Pilot Program  –  USAC collected $100 million to fund the Connected Care Pilot Program. No additional collections are required.

  • E-Rate Schools and Libraries Support Mechanism  –  $639.18 (2Q 2025 was $653.04 million)

USAC projects a consolidated budget of $73.60 million for 3Q 2025. This breaks out to $33.45 million in direct costs for all four support mechanisms, and $40.15 million in joint and common costs which include costs associated with billing, collection, and disbursement of universal service funds. The FCC will use the of the quarterly funding requirements for the four USF Support Mechanisms, the projected administrative expenses, and the USF contribution base amount to calculate the quarterly USF contribution factor. Copies of USAC’s historical USF filings are available on its website.

President Trump’s Proposed Fiscal Year 2026 Budget Does Not Provide New USDA Funding For Rural Broadband Expansion

May 2, 2025 – President Trump has released a budget plan for fiscal year (FY) 2026 that recommends discretionary funding levels for various federal government programs. The plan would not provide any new funding to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for rural broadband expansion. The letter outlining the proposed discretionary funding levels states that “[n]o new USDA funding is needed for broadband expansion, as existing balances and other Federal resources are meeting planned growth.”

FCC Releases Tentative Agenda For Open Meeting On May 22nd

May 1, 2025 – Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr has announced the following tentative agenda for the FCC’s open meeting on Thursday, May 22, 2025:

  • Safeguarding the Equipment Authorization Process from Bad Labs – The Commission will consider a Report and Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that would strengthen requirements and oversight relating to telecommunications certification bodies (TCBs), measurement facilities (test labs), and accreditation bodies to help ensure the integrity of these entities for purposes of our equipment authorization program, to better protect national security, and to advance the Commission’s comprehensive strategy to build a more secure and resilient communications supply chain. (ET Docket No. 24-136)

  • Identifying Foreign Adversary Ownership Stakes – The Commission will consider a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that proposes to require holders of covered Commission-issued licenses, authorizations, or approvals to certify whether they are owned by, controlled by, or subject to the jurisdiction or direction of a foreign adversary and, if so, to disclose foreign ownership interests and the nature of the foreign adversary ownership and control. (GN Docket No. 25-166)

  • Opening Up Spectrum for Satellite Broadband – The Commission will consider a Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that explores ways that the 12.7-13.25 GHz and 42.0-42.5 GHz bands could be used more intensively by satellite communications, as an alternative or a complement to the previous proposals for terrestrial wireless communications in these bands. (GN Docket No. 22-352, WT Docket No. 23-158, GN Docket No. 14-177)

The FCC’s May 22 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.

April 2025

FCC Issues NPRM That Proposes Ways To Close The Non-IP Network Robocall Loophole

April 29, 2025 – The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) which is intended to close the non-IP network robocall loophole. Comments are due on or before 30 days after the NPRM is published in the Federal Register. Reply comments are due 60 days after publication. To combat robocalls, the FCC approved rules requiring all IP-based voice service provider networks to implement STIR/SHAKEN. STIR/SHAKEN is defined as caller ID authentication standards that “serve as a common digital language used by phone networks, allowing valid information about a call to pass from provider to provider which, among other things, informs blocking tools of possible suspicious calls by making it easier to detect spoofed calls.” Consequently, the FCC’s rules require voice providers to either upgrade their non-IP networks to IP or work toward developing an alternative caller ID authentication solution for non-IP networks.

Over the past few years, the voice communications services industry has developed and begun to utilize frameworks for authenticating calls on non-IP networks. With the NPRM, the FCC is now officially evaluating “whether any such non-IP caller ID authentication frameworks meet the requirements in the TRACED Act, and whether [it] should require providers who have not completed their IP transitions to implement one or more of these frameworks in their non-IP networks by a date certain.” In the NPRM, the FCC posits that two existing frameworks meet [the TRACED Act] standards while taking further comment on a third.” The FCC proposes requiring that providers regularly certify to their implementation. Additionally, the FCC proposes there be a two-year grace period for compliance with any adopted final rules.

FCC Releases Final Agenda For Open Meeting On April 28th

April 21, 2025 – The Federal Communications Commission has released the following final agenda for the FCC’s open meeting on Monday, April 28, 2025:

  • Modernizing Spectrum Sharing for Satellite Broadband – The Commission will consider a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that would promote efficient spectrum sharing between geostationary and non-geostationary satellite systems.  To take account of today’s satellite technology and operations and to promote efficient co-existence and expanded services to American consumers, the item would review power limits developed in the 1990s on non-geostationary satellite orbit, fixed-satellite service systems for the protection of geostationary satellite networks. (SB Docket No. 25-157)

  • Utilizing the Lower 37 GHz Band – The Commission will consider a Report and Order, Sixth Report and Order, and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking establishing a licensing framework for use of the 37–37.6 GHz band (Lower 37 GHz band). (WT Docket No. 24-243; GN Docket No. 14-177)

  • Caller ID Authentication on Non-IP Networks to Block Robocalls – The Commission will consider a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that proposes to develop a framework for evaluating whether non-IP caller ID authentication solutions are developed and reasonably available, as required by the TRACED Act, proposes to conclude that certain existing solutions satisfy those requirements, and proposes to require that providers that continue to rely on non-IP networks implement non-IP caller ID authentication solutions. (WC Docket No. 17-97)

  • Clarifying Foreign Ownership Rules – The Commission will consider a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that would set clear expectations about the Commission’s review under section 310(b) of the Act of foreign investment in common carrier wireless, aeronautical radio, and broadcast licensees to reduce unnecessary burdens on industry while continuing to protect the public interest, including national security, law enforcement, foreign policy, and trade policy. (GN Docket No. 25-149)

The FCC’s April 28 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.

FCC Suspends Seven Individuals From The E-Rate Program And All Other Federal Universal Service Fund Support Mechanisms

April 16, 2025 – The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has suspended seven individuals from the E-Rate program and all other federal universal service fund support mechanisms. Also, the FCC’s Enforcement Bureau has initiated debarment proceedings against the seven individuals, all of whom have been convicted of fraud related to their participation in the E-Rate program. The FCC’s News Release provides the following information on the action:

Corporations controlled by these individuals requested over $35 million in E-Rate funds and received over $14 million in E-Rate funds from around 2010 to 2016, but did not provide much of the equipment for which they billed the federal government. The FCC’s Enforcement Bureau suspended each individual from further participation in the E-Rate program and began proceedings to ban them from participation in the future.

In 2023, the Department of Justice announced the sentencing of Peretz Klein, Ben Klein, Moshe Schwartz, Simon Goldbrener, Sholem Steinberg, Aron Melber, and Susan Klein, who previously pled guilty to defrauding the federal E-Rate program in connection with E-Rate funds provided to private religious schools in Rockland County, New York.

ISPs In Spain Are Blocking IP Addresses Connected To Live Pirated Streams Of La Liga Soccer Games

April 15, 2025 – Internet service providers in Spain are blocking IP addresses that are associated with live pirated streams of La Liga soccer games. The Commercial Court No. 6 of Barcelona, Spain issued an order in December 2024, which was upheld on appeal in March 2025, that authorizes La Liga to require Spanish ISPs to block the IP addresses that are facilitating pirated live streams. The court order was obtained by La Liga and Telefónica Audiovisual Digital S.L.U., who purchased the rights to broadcast La Liga matches in Spain for $1.36 billion. However, according to cloud infrastructure providers such as Vercel and Cloudfare, the IP address blocking is being implemented “without distinguishing between infringing and non-infringing services,” resulting in legitimate websites which have no connection to pirated streams being rendered inaccessible.

FCC Announces Tentative Agenda For Open Meeting On April 28th

April 7, 2025 – Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr has announced the following tentative agenda for the FCC’s next open meeting scheduled for Monday, April 28, 2025:

  • Modernizing Spectrum Sharing for Satellite Broadband – The Commission will consider a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that would promote efficient spectrum sharing between geostationary and non-geostationary satellite systems.  To take account of today’s satellite technology and operations and to promote efficient co-existence and expanded services to American consumers, the item would review power limits developed in the 1990s on non-geostationary satellite orbit, fixed-satellite service systems for the protection of geostationary satellite networks. (SB Docket No. 25-157)

  • Utilizing the Lower 37 GHz Band – The Commission will consider a Report and Order, Sixth Report and Order, and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking establishing a licensing framework for use of the 37–37.6 GHz band (Lower 37 GHz band). (WT Docket No. 24-243; GN Docket No. 14-177)

  • Caller ID Authentication on Non-IP Networks to Block Robocalls – The Commission will consider a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that proposes to develop a framework for evaluating whether non-IP caller ID authentication solutions are developed and reasonably available, as required by the TRACED Act, proposes to conclude that certain existing solutions satisfy those requirements, and proposes to require that providers that continue to rely on non-IP networks implement non-IP caller ID authentication solutions. (WC Docket No. 17-97)

  • Clarifying Foreign Ownership Rules – The Commission will consider a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that would set clear expectations about the Commission’s review under section 310(b) of the Act of foreign investment in common carrier wireless, aeronautical radio, and broadcast licensees to reduce unnecessary burdens on industry while continuing to protect the public interest, including national security, law enforcement, foreign policy, and trade policy. (GN Docket No. 25-149)

The FCC’s April 28 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.

FCC Announces Reduced Pricing For Access To Reassigned Numbers Database

April 7, 2025 – The Federal Communications Commission has announced reduced pricing for access to the Reassigned Numbers Database. Specifically, effective April 28, 2025, the pricing for querying the Reassigned Numbers Database will be reduced for all subscriptions by 20%, and two more Tiers (Tiers 3A and 4A) will be added. The Reassigned Numbers Database allows callers to determine whether a telephone number has been permanently disconnected and therefore is no longer assigned to the party the caller wants to reach. It contains reassigned number information from each provider that obtains North American Numbering Plan U.S. geographic numbers and toll free numbers. The FCC’s rules require service providers to report disconnection information to the Reassigned Numbers Database Administrator each month. Additional information about pricing is available on the Reassigned Numbers Database website.

FCC Wireline Bureau Issues Order Dismissing And Denying Enhanced A-CAM Petitions For Reconsideration

April 4, 2025 – The FCC’s Wireline Competition Bureau has issued an Order On Reconsideration which addresses several petitions for reconsideration of the 2023 Enhanced Alternative Connect America Cost Model (Enhanced A-CAM) Order. The FCC’s Enhanced A-CAM program will provide model-based funding to rural rate-of-return carriers that opt in to the program for a 15-year term in exchange for deploying 100/20 Mbps or faster broadband service and voice service to all locations in their service areas by the end of 2028.

The Bureau’s Order On Reconsideration addresses five petitions for reconsideration of various parts of the Order, filed by The ACAM Broadband Coalition; St. James Township and Peaine Township, Beaver Island, MI; Blooston Rural Carriers; the Coalition of RDOF Winners; and NTCA – The Rural Broadband Association.

First, the Bureau has clarified an Enhanced A-CAM support recipient’s obligations when filing cybersecurity and supply chain risk management plans, and as a result, has dismissed as moot a petition raising this issue.

Second, the other petitions, which raised several arguments, were denied or dismissed because the Bureau concluded they “fail to identify any material error, omission, or reason warranting reconsideration, rely on arguments that have been fully considered and rejected by the Commission, or raise issues beyond the scope of the Enhanced A-CAM Order.” The arguments raised in these petitions that were denied by the Bureau cover the following issues: changes to the enhanced a cam program’s deployment deadlines; processes for determining locations that are ineligible due to presence of unsubsidized competition; and provision of support to unserved areas subject to a previously awarded grant.

Mergers & Acquisitions: TurboNet Technologies’ RDOF Support & Obligations Transferred To United Fiber

April 2, 2025 – The FCC’s Wireline Competition Bureau has granted a Section 214 application filed by TurboNet Technologies, Inc. (TurboNet) and United Fiber, LLC (United Fiber). By granting the application, the Bureau’s has consented to the transfer of TurboNet’s Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF) support and related buildout and service obligations associated with three census block groups in Lafayette County, Missouri (291070902003, 291070902004, and 291070902005) to United Fiber. There are 72 census blocks and 496 locations in the three transferred census block groups. The total amount of RDOF support being assigned to United Fiber is $700,874.20.

March 2025

Compliance With New FCC NG911 Rules Required As Of March 25, 2025

March 25, 2025 – The FCC’s Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau has announced that the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has approved information collections related to the next generation 911 (NG911) rules adopted in the FCC’s July 2024 Report and Order containing. Accordingly, compliance with 47 C.F.R. § 9.31(a) through (c) and 9.34(a) and (b) is required as of March 25, 2025. Those rule sections are:

  • Section 9.31(a) concerns phase 1 valid requests for delivery of 911 traffic in IP-based formats

  • Section 9.31(b) concerns phase 2 valid requests for delivery of 911 traffic in IP-based formats

  • Section 9.31(c) concerns originating service providers’ petitions challenging 911 Authorities’ phase 1 and 2 requests

  • Section 9.34 concerns modification of NG911 requirements by mutual agreement

The Bureau’s Public Notice also explains how compliance with the new NG911 rules will work. To that end, the Bureau has opened three new dockets in the FCC Electronic Comment Filing System (ECFS) for filings required by the NG911 rules: (1) PS Docket No. 25-143 (phase 1 and 2 valid requests); (2) PS Docket No. 25-144 (petitions challenging valid requests); and (3) PS Docket No. 25-145 (mutual agreements modifying NG911 requirements).

FCC Council On National Security Investigating Chinese Companies

March 21, 2025 – Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr has announced that the FCC’s Council on National Security has launched an investigation into the ongoing U.S. operations of CCP-aligned businesses whose equipment or services are on the FCC’s Covered List. Entities on the Covered List have been deemed to pose an unacceptable risk to the national security of the U.S. or the security and safety of U.S. persons. According to the announcement, the FCC believes some or all of the CCP-aligned businesses may still be operating in the U.S. The FCC has sent Letters of Inquiry and at least one subpoena to the entities to assess their current levels of operation and determine what further actions is necessary. The Covered List entities targeted in the investigation are: Huawei Technologies Company, ZTE Corporation, Hytera Communications Corporation, Hangzhou Hikvision Digital Technology Company, Dahua Technology Company, China Mobile International USA Inc., China Telecom (Americas) Corp., Pacifica Networks Corp./ComNet (USA) LLC, and China Unicom (Americas) Operations Ltd. The full Covered List is below.

Final Agenda For FCC Open Meeting On March 27th

March 20, 2025 – The Federal Communications Commission has released the following final agenda for the FCC’s next open meeting scheduled for Thursday, March 27, 2025, at 10:30 am:

  • Exploring Alternatives to GPS – The Commission will consider a Notice of Inquiry that would engage a wide range of stakeholders to build a record on specific actions it can take to help develop complements and alternatives to the Global Positioning System with the goal of ensuring robust and reliable Positioning, Navigation, and Timing technologies and solutions. (WT Docket No. 25-110)

  • Facilitating Implementation of Next Generation 911 Services & Improving 911 Reliability – The Commission will consider a Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to safeguard the nation’s Next Generation 911 (NG911) transition by ensuring the reliability and interoperability of NG911 networks. (PS Docket Nos. 21-479, 13-75)

  • Strengthening 911 Location Accuracy Rules – The Commission will consider a Sixth Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that proposes to strengthen caller location accuracy requirements for wireless calls to 911. (PS Docket No. 07-114)

  • Restricted Adjudicatory Matter – The Commission will consider a restricted adjudicatory matter from the Media Bureau.

FCC Takes Action To Accelerate Technology Transitions – Legacy Copper Lines To Modern Fiber Networks

March 20, 2025 – The FCC’s Wireline Competition Bureau has taken a series of actions that are intended to make it easier for communications providers to retire legacy copper networks and transition them to modern high-speed networks. The FCC and the Bureau believe the actions will help communications providers “roll out upgraded, high-speed networks to more Americans on a faster timeline – rather than requiring providers to keep pouring resources into maintaining decades-old and increasingly expensive copper line networks.” The Bureau’s four technology transition actions are summarized below:

  • Adopts a clarification that will enable providers to use streamlined procedures more often when they apply to discontinue copper lines – Order On Clarification (DA 25-250) – clarifies that a technology transition discontinuance applicant that elects to show, based on the totality of the circumstances, that a replacement service has substantially similar network performance and availability as the service being discontinued need not conduct the performance testing described in the 2016 Technology Transitions Order and its Technical Appendix. An applicant that elects to certify – rather than show – that a replacement service has substantially similar network performance and availability must follow the testing described in the 2016 Technology Transitions Order and its Technical Appendix.

  • Adopts a waiver that allows providers to retire copper networks, not only in cases where replacement voice services are available on a stand-alone basis, but in cases where those services are available on a bundled basis – Order (DA 25-252) – waives the filing requirements in the FCC’s network change disclosure rules adopted under section 251(c)(5) of the Communications Act for a period of two years, unless the waiver is extended prior to its expiration; and in the case of short-term network changes and copper retirements, the Order eliminates the associated FCC public notice process, along with the objection process for interconnected service providers.

  • Adopts an order that waives unnecessary requirements that kicked in whenever a provider “grandfathered” a legacy service—meaning, they stopped offering it to new customers – Order (DA 25-251) – grants authority under section 214(a) of the Communications Act for carriers to grandfather any legacy voice or data service currently covered by sections 63.71(k)-(l) of the FCC’s rules, and waives the associated requirement to file an application with the FCC under the discontinuance rules.

  • Adopts an order that waives costly and excessive notice requirements in cases where they provide no demonstrable benefit. In fact, over the past two years, the FCC has processed more than 400 network change disclosure filings and not once has the FCC received a comment in opposition – Order (DA 25-248) – waives the requirement that a replacement voice service offered by the carrier or an unaffiliated provider be stand-alone in order for a technology transitions discontinuance application to be eligible for streamlined processing under the Alternative Options Test for a period of two year; by waiving the stand-alone requirement, a carrier may offer its own VoIP service bundled with other service offerings, as well as demonstrate the availability of another voice service throughout the affected service area that may only be available on a bundled basis; the Order also waives, or a period of two years, the requirement in the Adequate Replacement Test that a carrier demonstrate that a single replacement service satisfies all three prongs of the test in order to be eligible for streamlined processing.

FCC Commissioner Geoffrey Starks Announces Forthcoming Resignation

March 18, 2025 – Federal Communications Commission Commissioner Geoffrey Starks has announced that he will leave the FCC sometime in the Spring of 2025. His full announcement is below:

“Today I sent a letter to the President and Leader Schumer indicating that I intend to resign my seat as a Commissioner this spring. Serving the American people as a Commissioner on the Federal Communications Commission has been the honor of my life. With my extraordinary fellow Commissioners and the incredible career staff at the agency, we have worked hard to connect all Americans, promote innovation, protect consumers, and ensure national security. I have learned so much from my time in this position, particularly when I have heard directly from Americans on the issues that matter to them. I have been inspired by the passion, engagement and commitment I have seen from colleagues, advocates, and industry. Over the next few weeks, I look forward to working with the Chairman and my fellow Commissioners, and all FCC staff, to further the mission of the agency.”

Another New Record! USF Contribution Factor For Second Quarter Of 2025 – 36.6 Percent

March 13, 2025 – The FCC’s Office of Managing Director (OMD) has announced that the proposed universal service fund (USF) contribution factor for the second quarter of 2025 will be 36.6 percent. If the FCC takes no action on the proposed USF contribution factor within 14 days, it will be declared approved.

The 36.6 percent contribution factor for 2Q 2025 sets another new record, beating the previous all-time high of 36.3 percent during 1Q 2025. There has now been an increase to the USF contribution factor for four consecutive quarters (2Q 2024 – 32.8%; 3Q 2024 – 34.4%; 4Q 2024 – 35.8%; 1Q 2025 – 36.3%; 2Q 2025 – 36.6). Historical information on quarterly universal service fund contribution factors is available online from the FCC.

For the second quarter of 2025, the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) projects $8.223063 billion in total interstate and international end-user telecommunications revenues will be collected ($8.176992 billion in collections were projected for 1Q 2025). USAC estimates that $2.186160 billion is needed to cover the total demand and expenses for all Federal universal service support mechanisms (revenue requirement) in the second quarter of 2025 (the 1Q 2025 demand was estimated at $2.161100 billion). Total second quarter 2025 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:  $653.04 million (1Q 2025 was $657.15 million)

  • Rural Health Care:  $104.10 million (1Q 2025 was $129.50 million)

  • High-Cost:  $1.12390 billion (1Q 2025 was $1.08640 billion)

  • Lifeline:  $305.12 million (1Q 2025 was $288.05 million)

FCC Chairman Establishes Council For National Security

March 13, 2025 – FCC Chairman Brendan Carr has announced the establishment of the FCC’s Council for National Security, which will leverage the full range of the Commission’s regulatory, investigatory, and enforcement authorities to promote America’s national security and counter foreign adversaries.” The Council will be comprised of representatives from eight Bureaus and Offices within the FCC, fostering cross-agency collaboration and information sharing. The Council will have a 3-part goal: (1) Reduce the American technology and telecommunications sectors’ trade and supply chain dependencies on foreign adversaries; (2) Mitigate America’s vulnerabilities to cyberattacks, espionage, and surveillance by foreign adversaries; and (3) Ensure the U.S. wins the strategic competition with China over critical technologies, such as 5G and 6G, AI, satellites and space, quantum computing, robotics and autonomous systems, and the Internet of Things.

Former FCC Chairman Ajit Pai Announced As New CEO Of CTIA–The Wireless Association

March 12, 2025 – CTIA, the wireless industry association, has announced that former FCC Chairman Ajit Pai has been named President and Chief Executive Officer, effective April 1, 2025. The following is from the CTIA press release announcing the change:

Pai will join CTIA from Searchlight Capital Partners, a leading global private investment firm. He will replace Meredith Attwell Baker, who announced her retirement last December and has served in the role since 2014.

“I am honored to lead CTIA. The wireless industry is a key driver of technology innovation and investment in the U.S. And it helps advance America’s global competitiveness, national security, and economic security,” Pai said. “Together, we will work to ensure that our nation’s spectrum and infrastructure policies promote U.S. global wireless leadership and keep consumers on the leading edge of innovation. I am thrilled to get to represent the companies across our country that are creating jobs, growing the economy, and benefiting hundreds of millions of consumers every day.”

FCC Chairman Launches Proceeding To Review, Eliminate FCC Regulations

March 12, 2025 – The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has released a Public Notice which seeks “public input on identifying FCC rules for the purpose of alleviating unnecessary regulatory burdens.” Comments are due on or before Friday, April 11, 2025. Reply comments are due Monday, April 28, 2025. The FCC is “seek[ing] comment on deregulatory initiatives that would facilitate and encourage American firms’ investment in modernizing their networks, developing infrastructure, and offering innovative and advanced capabilities.” The FCC encourages commenters to consider the following policy factors when identifying and analyzing which FCC rules should be eliminated:

  • Cost-benefit considerations;

  • Experience gained from the implementation of the rule;

  • Marketplace and technological changes;

  • Regulation as barrier to entry;

  • Changes in the broader regulatory context;

  • Changes in, or other implications of, the governing legal framework; and

  • Other considerations relevant to the retrospective review of Commission rules.

Mergers & Acquisitions: Private Equity Acquiring Kansas Broadband Provider Ideatek

March 11, 2025 – Last Dance Intermediate III, LLC (Transferee) and IdeaTek Holdings, LLC (Transferor) have filed a Section 214 application requesting FCC consent to transfer indirect control of IdeaTek Telcom, LLC (Licensee) from Transferor to Transferee. Financial details have not been made public, and the application has not yet been put on Public Notice by the Wireline Competition Bureau. The FCC docket for the transaction is WC 25-129.

Last Dance Intermediate III, LLC is a newly formed Delaware limited liability company created for the purpose of completing the Transaction. Last Dance Intermediate III, LLC is indirectly, wholly owned by Last Dance Holdings, L.P. (Last Dance Holdings), an investment fund also created for the purpose of the Transaction. Last Dance Holdings is primarily owned and controlled by funds and entities affiliated with Oak Hill Capital Management (Oak Hill) and Pamlico Capital Management (Pamlico), which are private equity funds based in the United States. The equity in the Oak Hill and Pamlico funds is held through passive limited (and insulated) partnership interests held by numerous, primarily U.S.-based investors, including individuals, trusts, institutions and business entities. Control of these funds ultimately rests in U.S. entities or citizens.

IdeaTek Holdings, LLC is a holding company that is primarily owned by (1) Equity Group of Kansas, LLC (32.52% equity) and (2) funds and entities controlled by Peppertree Capital Management, Inc. (46.08% equity).

IdeaTek Telcom, LLC primarily operates in Kansas, where it is authorized to provide local exchange and interexchange services and is designated as an Eligible Telecommunications Carrier (ETC). It is also authorized to provide local exchange, interexchange, and interconnected VoIP services in Missouri. IdeaTek Telcom, LLC has been authorized by the FCC to receive Connect America Fund Phase II auction support and Rural Digital Opportunity Fund Phase I support.

Pursuant to an Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of February 22, 2025, by and among the parties, Transferee will acquire all of the outstanding voting and equity interests in Transferor. As a result of the Transaction, Licensee will become an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of Transferee. Transferee will remain indirectly, wholly owned by Last Dance Holdings. The parties maintain that the transaction will serve the public interest, and will have no adverse impact on the customers or operations of Licensee.

FCC Proposes Competitive Bidding Procedures For Auction Of AWS-3 Spectrum Licenses (Auction 113)

March 11, 2025 – The FCC’s Wireless Telecommunications Bureau and Office of Economics and Analytics have released a Public Notice which requests public comment on the competitive bidding procedures and auction design to be used for bidding to acquire licenses in Auction 113. Comments are due on or before April 10, 2025. Reply comments are due April 25, 2025.

In Auction 113, the FCC will auction 200 spectrum licenses in the 1695–1710 MHz, 1755–1780 MHz, and 2155–2180 MHz bands (the AWS-3 Bands). The FCC proposes to use an ascending clock auction format (a clock-1 format) wherein bidding in the clock phase will be for specific licenses to assign the licenses offered in Auction 113. The list of the 200 spectrum licenses up for auction is available in the Attachment A file on the FCC’s Auction 113 website at www.fcc.gov/auction/113. Of the 200 licenses, 48 will be Economic Area (EA) licenses and 152 will be Cellular Market Area (CMA) licenses. The AWS-3 frequencies will be licensed in five and ten megahertz blocks, with each license having a total bandwidth of five, ten, or twenty megahertz. The 1695–1710 MHz band will be licensed in an unpaired configuration for low-power mobile transmit (i.e., uplink) operations.8 The 1755–1780 MHz band will be licensed paired with the 2155–2180 MHz band, with the 1755–1780 MHz band authorized for low-power mobile transmit (i.e., uplink) operations and the 2155–2180 MHz band authorized for base station and fixed (i.e., downlink) operations.

Proceeds from Auction 113 will support the FCC’s Supply Chain Reimbursement Program, which implements the Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Act of 2019 by reimbursing eligible advanced communications service providers for their costs to remove, replace, and dispose of Huawei Technologies Company or ZTE Corporation equipment and services obtained on or before June 30, 2020.

FCC Announces E-Rate & Rural Health Care Programs’ Annual Funding Cap For 2025

March 7, 2025 – The FCC’s Wireline Competition Bureau has announced the E-Rate and Rural Health Care (RHC) programs’ annual caps for funding year 2025. Each program’s amount is based on a 2.4% inflation-adjusted increase from 2024. In its Public Notice, the Bureau has provided the following details:

E-Rate Program: The E-Rate program funding cap for funding year 2025 is $5,058,637,966. This amount represents a 2.4% inflation-adjusted increase to $4,940,076,139, the annual cap for the program last year. In 2010, the Commission began adjusting the E-Rate program’s annual cap based on the rate of inflation using the Gross Domestic Product – Chain-type Price Index (GDP-CPI) to help ensure funding keeps pace with the changing broadband and telecommunications needs of schools and libraries.

RHC Program: The RHC program funding cap for funding year 2025 is $723,892,841. The internal cap for upfront payments and multi-year commitments in the Healthcare Connect Fund program is $182,780,877. The internal cap for upfront payments and multi-year commitments will apply only if RHC program demand exceeds available funding. These new funding caps represent a 2.4% inflation-adjusted increase to the $706,926,603 RHC program funding cap and the $178,496,951 internal cap for the Healthcare Connect Fund program’s multi-year commitments and upfront payments from funding year 2024. The Commission began indexing the RHC program annual cap to inflation in 2018 to ensure that the RHC program funding keeps pace with the changing broadband and telecommunications needs of rural health care providers. In 2020, the Commission also began indexing the internal cap on multi-year commitments and upfront payments to inflation to prevent inflation from eroding the purchasing power of health care providers requesting multi-year commitments and upfront payments through the Healthcare Connect Fund Program.

FCC Announces Tentative Agenda For Open Meeting On March 27th

March 6, 2025 – Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr has announced the following tentative agenda for the FCC’s next open meeting scheduled for Thursday, March 27, 2025:

  • Exploring Alternatives to GPS – The Commission will consider a Notice of Inquiry that would engage a wide range of stakeholders to build a record on specific actions it can take to help develop complements and alternatives to the Global Positioning System with the goal of ensuring robust and reliable Positioning, Navigation, and Timing technologies and solutions. (WT Docket No. 25-110)

  • Ensuring NG911 Resiliency, Reliability, Interoperability, and Accessibility – The Commission will consider a Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to safeguard the nation’s Next Generation 911 (NG911) transition by ensuring the reliability and interoperability of NG911 networks. (PS Docket Nos. 21-479, 13-75)

  • Strengthening 911 Location Accuracy Rules – The Commission will consider a Sixth Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that proposes to strengthen caller location accuracy requirements for wireless calls to 911. (PS Docket No. 07-114)

  • Restricted Adjudicatory Matter – The Commission will consider a restricted adjudicatory matter from the Media Bureau.

U.S. Secretary Of Commerce Howard Lutnick Releases Statement On Impending Changes To NTIA’s BEAD Program

March 5, 2025 – U.S. Secretary Of Commerce Howard Lutnick has released a statement on impending changes to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration’s (NTIA) Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program. In the statement, provided below, Secretary Lutnick announces that changes will be made to the BEAD programs’ requirements:

“In 2021, Congress created the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program to expand Americans’ access to high-speed internet. But, years later, because of the prior Administration’s woke mandates, favoritism towards certain technologies, and burdensome regulations, the program has not connected a single person to the internet and is in dire need of a readjustment. Under my leadership, the Commerce Department has launched a rigorous review of the BEAD program. The Department is ripping out the Biden Administration’s pointless requirements. It is revamping the BEAD program to take a tech-neutral approach that is rigorously driven by outcomes, so states can provide internet access for the lowest cost. Additionally, the Department is exploring ways to cut government red tape that slows down infrastructure construction. We will work with states and territories to quickly get rid of the delays and the waste. Thereafter we will move quickly to implementation in order to get households connected. Under the revamped BEAD program, all Americans will receive the benefit of the bargain that Congress intended. We’re going to deliver high-speed internet access, and we will do it efficiently and effectively at the lowest cost to taxpayers.”

Mergers & Acquisitions: Laurel Highland Total Communications Acquiring Pennsylvania Telephone Company

March 3, 2025 – The FCC’s Wireline Competition Bureau is seeking comment on a Section 214 application filed by New Lisbon Holdings, Inc. (NLHI) and Laurel Highland Total Communications, Inc. (LHTC), requesting approval to transfer control of NLHI’s wholly owned subsidiary, Pennsylvania Telephone Company, Inc. (PTC), to LHTC. The Bureau has accepted the Section 214 application for non-streamlined processing because the proposed transaction is more complex than those accepted for streamlined treatment. Comments are due on or before March 17, 2025, and reply comments are due March 24, 2025.

NLHI is an Indiana corporation and holding company. PTC is a Pennsylvania corporation that is wholly owned by NLHI. PTC provides service as a rural incumbent local exchange carrier (ILEC) to approximately 640 access lines in the southern portions of Clinton and Lycoming Counties in south-central Pennsylvania.

LHTC is a Pennsylvania corporation and holding company. LHTC wholly owns Laurel Highland Telephone Company, Yukon-Waltz Telephone Company, South Canaan Telephone Company, and Lackawaxen Telecommunications Services, Inc., each Pennsylvania corporations providing service as rural ILECs to approximately 4,990 access lines in portions of Westmoreland, Fayette, Wayne, and Pike counties, Pennsylvania. Each of LHTC’s wholly owned rural ILECs have been designated as eligible telecommunications Carriers (ETCs) in Pennsylvania. LHTC also wholly owns Laurel Highland Long Distance Company, LHTC Communications, Inc., and South Canaan Services Company, each Pennsylvania corporations providing telecommunications services as competitive carriers.

Pursuant to a January 2025 Stock Purchase Agreement, LHTC will acquire all operations and assets of the PTC from NLHI.  Following consummation of the transaction, LHTC, PTC, and NLHI will continue to hold domestic Section 214 authority in their respective serving areas. PTC will continue to exist and operate under its existing corporate structure. The applicants state that granting the application will serve the public interest, convenience, and necessity. The further claim that PTC’s customers will not experience any immediate change to rates, terms, or conditions of service, and in no event will the proposed transaction result in the interruption, reduction, loss, or impairment of service.

National Telecommunications And Information Administration Organization Act Would Establish An Office Of Policy Development And Cybersecurity Within NTIA

March 3, 2025 – Representatives Jay Obernolte (R-CA) and Jennifer McClellan (D-VA) have introduced the National Telecommunications and Information Administration Organization Act, H.R. 1766. If passed, the bill would establish an Office of Policy Development and Cybersecurity within NTIA, which would “develop and implement cybersecurity and privacy policies for the internet and communications networks.” The same bill was introduced during the last Congress and passed the House, but failed in the Senate. H.R. 1766 has been referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.