June 2024

Regulators set the stage for AI antitrust battles

The Federal Trade Commission and Justice Department have reached a deal that would set the stage for antitrust probes into Microsoft, OpenAI and Nvidia, setting up unprecedented regulatory scrutiny of the companies’ conduct in the AI race, according to a person familiar with the matter, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss a probe whose details are not public.

New NTIA Data Show 13 Million More Internet Users in the U.S. in 2023 than 2021

Results from the latest National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) Internet Use Survey point to significant progress toward achieving Internet for All, as 13 million more people used the Internet in the United States in 2023 compared with just two years earlier. Working to achieve digital equity in the United States has long been at the core of NTIA’s mission. NTIA is committed to enabling widespread use of the Internet for communicating, learning, sharing ideas, and growing the economy. To reach this goal, we need solid, evidence-backed research to inform policies an

The Affordable Connectivity Program is over—now what?

As of June 1, the Affordable Connectivity Program has officially come and gone. Question is, now what?

ACHP Chair Asks Congress to Reject Legislative Proposals Allowing Projects to Bypass Historic Preservation Review Process

On behalf of the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP), Chair Sara Bronin has called on Congress to reject provisions in 15 bills that would exempt certain types of infrastructure projects from review under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act. Section 106 requires federal agencies to consider the effects of projects, carried out by them or subject to their assistance or approval, on historic properties.

Gigapower Riding the Open Access Network

Private capital is opening fiber availability outside of traditional telecom models, with the Gigapower joint venture between AT&T and infrastructure investor Blackrock a prime example. Gigapower is focusing on an open access model that will initially pass 1.5 million homes nationwide and enable the network to be used and shared by multiple fiber-to-the-home service providers.

Cogeco Combines Canadian and U.S. Cable Operations

Montreal-based Cogeco Communications has restructured its operations, combining the “commercial, operational and technical” functions of its Canadian and Breezeline-branded U.S. telecommunications businesses into one North American unit. With the change, Breezeline president Frank van der Post will depart.