Federal Communications Commission

I’m excited to talk to you about what I think will be an unsettling future reality: the accelerating move from a single Internet and technology market toward one fragmented along national borders due to concerns about digital sovereignty. There was a lot of heady idealism in the early days of the Internet. The internet was a universal, open network where people from around the world could exchange services and ideas basically without restriction.

The Wireline Competition Bureau reminds providers, eligible households, and all other Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) stakeholders of the upcoming enrollment freeze beginning Thursday, February 8, 2024.

I am writing to keep you updated regarding the status of the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP).  I last wrote you on January 8, 2024 to explain that the remaining funding we have for the ACP—the largest and most successful broadband affordability program in our Nation’s history—is insufficient to support consumers who count on this program beyond April 2024.  My January 8, 2024 letter stressed that more funding is needed to keep the ACP in place, and that absent additional funding, the FCC would need to take steps to start orderly wind-down procedures for the ACP.

In late 2023, Sens Shelley Capito (R-WV) and John Kennedy (R-LA) wrote to Federal Communications Commission Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel expressing concerns about the FCC's pole attachment proceedings. In January 2024, Chairwoman Rosenworcel responded, elaborating on what action the FCC has taken to improve the pole attachment process, including the establishment of the new Rapid Broadband Assessment Team.

The Federal Communications Commission’s Enforcement Bureau announced senior staff appointments, adding officials with significant experience and expertise in national security, foreign investment, privacy, data protection, cybersecurity, and consumer and civil litigation matters.

Federal Communications Commission Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel announced changes to her leadership team. At the conclusion of the January Open Meeting, Chairwoman Rosenworcel announced the formal departure of Deena Shetler from her team. Sanford Williams will serve as Deputy Chief of staff. Williams has worked in various roles at the FCC since 1999. Most recently he served as a Special Advisor to the Chairwoman and Deputy Managing Director in the Office of Managing Director.