The Federal Communications Commission is prepared to block mergers and acquisitions involving media and telecommunications companies that promote diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies deemed “invidious,” FCC Chairman Brendan Carr announced Friday in an interview with Bloomberg News. Carr’s remarks sent shockwaves through the communications sector, as he directly referenced high-profile deals now under threat, including Paramount Global’s proposed merger …
Pole attachment delays threaten $52 billion in federal broadband expansion funds
A newly released report from The Pew Charitable Trusts sheds light on a major obstacle slowing the expansion of high-speed internet in the United States: the complicated and costly process of attaching broadband infrastructure to utility poles. The report, which examines the challenges facing federally funded broadband projects, warns that delays and rising costs tied to pole attachments could undermine …
Starks resigns from the FCC, paving the way for Republican control under Chairman Carr
Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Commissioner Geoffrey Starks has announced his intention to resign this Spring, cutting short his term that was set to expire in 2027. His departure could have significant implications for the balance of power within the FCC, potentially giving Chairman Brendan Carr a temporary Republican majority. In a letter to President Donald Trump and Senate Majority Leader …
Ajit Pai’s legacy: A win for CTIA’s wireless carriers as its new chief, but at what cost to contractors?
Ajit Pai, former Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), is set to take over as president and CEO of CTIA on April 1. His appointment marks a significant leadership shift for the wireless industry’s leading lobbying group as it navigates ongoing battles over spectrum allocation and regulatory policies. Pai will replace former FCC Commissioner Meredith Attwell Baker, who has …
Fiber is no longer the cornerstone: Lutnick’s BEAD program’s shift should benefit wireless and satellite
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick announced a significant overhaul of the $42 billion Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program, signaling a shift from its previous fiber-centric focus. Fiber optics, once seen as the cornerstone for high-speed internet infrastructure, could become less viable due to escalating costs and a new “tech-neutral” approach. The Commerce Secretary’s initiatives could result in wireless infrastructure …
As contractors are forced to quit, FCC Chief Carr tackles tower climb to showcase telecom workforce’s true grit
With over 42 years of experience erecting and maintaining tall towers, Precision Communications lead foreman Mike Berry has tackled plenty of unique and challenging projects—some unforgettable, while others blur together, fading into the background like just another day on the job. A planned two-week lighting system upgrade on WKRG News 5’s 1,865-foot structure in Spanish Fort, AL, seemed destined to …
Chinese hackers escalate attacks on U.S. telecom networks through Cisco
Chinese state-sponsored hacking group Salt Typhoon has launched a new wave of cyberattacks targeting U.S. telecommunications providers by exploiting vulnerabilities in unpatched Cisco IOS XE network devices. These breaches, affecting major firms such as AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile, have raised serious national security concerns as hackers gain unauthorized access to sensitive data, including call logs and text messages. Massive Cyber …
Historic charm meets bathroom chic: The saga of SBA’s toilet paper tower, which gained an extra roll
A telecommunications tower off Line Street in downtown Charleston, South Carolina, has been a source of debate since its completion in 2023. Historic preservation advocates are pushing for changes, arguing that the structure deviates significantly from its initially approved design. Based on the initial designs, the Historic Charleston Foundation, one of the organizations involved in the review of the structure, …
Biggs’ push to eliminate OSHA: A risky move for worker safety, especially in fall protection
Editor’s Note: Arizona Rep. Andy Biggs’ bill to abolish OSHA is a masterclass in legislative minimalism—so brief it could fit on the side of a thimble. While unlikely to pass, it has ironically backfired by highlighting just how essential a federal OSHA is, sparking renewed discussions on the importance of workplace safety regulations. Republican Arizona Congressman Rep. Andy Biggs reintroduced …
Arielle Roth’s nomination to head NTIA signals probable shift away from fiber-centric BEAD program
President Donald Trump has nominated Arielle Roth, telecom director for Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Ted Cruz, to lead the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA). If confirmed, Roth would oversee federal broadband policy, including the $42.5 billion Broadband, Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program—an initiative she has sharply criticized for its regulatory overreach and fiber favoritism. Roth outlined her concerns …
The silent crisis: How criminals are wiping out cell sites and getting away with it
Michael O’Rielly, former Commissioner of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), has raised alarms over the increasing wave of vandalism and theft targeting broadband infrastructure. In a recent analysis published by the Free State Foundation, O’Rielly emphasized the urgent need for stricter legal consequences to curb these criminal activities, which threaten the reliability of the nation’s communications networks. The Growing Threat …
Ericsson’s green dreams become contractors’ nightmare
In President Donald Trump’s inaugural speech, one of the first actions he said he would take today was to “end the Green New Deal.” His timing was perfect for wireless contractors who learned this morning of Ericsson’s move to mandate participation in its “Net Zero” Climate Initiative, which has drawn sharp criticism from contractors who say the requirements are impractical, unsustainable, …
Industry leaders applaud Olivia Trusty’s FCC nomination, citing extensive policy experience
Republican Senate aide Olivia Trusty has been appointed commissioner of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), securing a Republican majority within the agency. Trusty is a professional staff member of the Senate Armed Services Committee. Before that, she was policy director for the Senate Commerce Committee, where “she has fought tirelessly to grow the Economy, empower Innovation, and reignite the American …
Soon to be FCC Chair Carr slams Chairwoman Rosenworcel’s eleventh-hour Salt Typhoon vote
In a pointed rebuke, FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr criticized FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel and the Biden administration for advancing a contentious vote on cybersecurity measures yesterday, just days before a new administration reins. Carr’s strong statement called out the timing and content of the decision, accusing the FCC leadership of abandoning precedent and bipartisan cooperation in favor of a rushed, …
Key telecom figures Meredith Attwell Baker and Alan Davidson set to leave their posts in 2025
In a significant shakeup for U.S. telecommunications policy and advocacy, Meredith Attwell Baker, President and CEO of CTIA, and Alan Davidson, Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information at the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), have both announced their departures, effective 2025. The exit of these two prominent leaders marks a transformative moment for the industry as it faces …
The elephant in the FCC: Carr signals end of DEI era but is tactfully advised to recharter the CEDC
President-elect Donald Trump has appointed Brendan Carr, the senior Republican commissioner of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), to serve as the agency’s chairman in his forthcoming administration. Carr, who has been an FCC Commissioner since 2017, said the agency will end its promotion of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) next year. Last month, he criticized the FCC’s budget for 2025, …
SpaceX and T-Mobile get green light to launch direct-to-phone connectivity, but held back on power boost
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has approved SpaceX to use its Starlink broadband satellites to provide direct-to-phone service for T-Mobile customers. This marks the first collaboration between a satellite operator and a wireless carrier to receive FCC approval for supplemental cell coverage from space. “The Commission recognized that satellite-to-device connectivity can support critical public interest benefits, including ubiquitous connectivity, access …
FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel announces her departure set for January 2025
Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel announced today her intention to step down from the agency on January 20, 2025, following a transformative tenure that began in 2012. As the first woman to lead the FCC, Rosenworcel leaves a significant legacy, including initiatives aimed at expanding broadband access, safeguarding national security, and overseeing the burgeoning space communications sector. “Serving …
Déjà Vu at the FCC: Republicans demand a timeout as power swaps hands asking for ‘pencils down’
In a move that mirrors past transitions of power, Republican leaders are urging the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to temporarily hold any contentious regulatory initiatives until President-elect Donald Trump takes office on January 20. This “pencils down” approach, often invoked during transitional periods, aims to restrict the FCC’s agenda to non-controversial matters, ensuring a smooth handover of authority. It’s a …
From Q Link to the clink: Telecommunications provider’s CEO pleads guilty to massive FCC fraud
Issa Asad, 51, of Southwest Ranches, FL, and Q Link Wireless LLC, of Dania Beach, FL, pleaded guilty Tuesday to conspiring to defraud and commit offenses against the United States in connection with a years-long scheme to steal over $100 million from a celebrated federal program providing discounted phone service to people in need, Lifeline. Asad, Q Link’s CEO, also …
