Bloomberg

The infrastructure bill moving through Congress requires internet service providers to offer a low-cost option, sparking opposition from Senate Commerce Committee Minority Leader Roger Wicker (R-MS) who said the mandate may lead to broadband rate regulation. The measure will require funding recipients to offer a low-cost plan.

Inmarsat, the UK's biggest satellite company, plans to launch a constellation of low-earth orbit (LEO) spacecraft and set up 5G wireless networks, joining a new space race against the likes of Elon Musk. The project, called Orchestra, will create a hybrid network of the company’s existing geostationary satellite technology, land-based 5G networks and LEO satellites, according to Inmarsat CEO Rajeev Suri. The system will provide next-generation 5G service in high-demand areas and add speed and capacity at digital chokepoints as data use soars.

A large coalition of industry groups and public interest lobbyists are pushing Congress to invest in “future-proof” high-speed fiber networks in a battle over how to divvy up the $65 billion proposed to expand broadband internet service. The spending is included in an infrastructure package tentatively agreed to by a bipartisan group of senators and President Joe Biden.