Telecommunication

The Federal Communications Commission is making it easier for telcos to turn off old copper phone and DSL networks with four changes that relax requirements related to copper shutoffs. FCC Chairman Brendan Carr—who is also pushing a "Delete, Delete, Delete" initiative to get rid of as many rules as possible—said that agency rules have prevented providers from upgrading to faster networks.

The Federal Communications Commission is taking an initial set of actions that will help accelerate the transition from aging copper lines to modern network infrastructure in communities all across the country. These actions will help ensure that 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.

In recent years, a new dimension of International Relations has begun to emerge. It involves not only the traditional actors of diplomacy, but also fosters dialogue between states and the private tech industry. This new form of interaction is referred to as “Tech Diplomacy” or (increasingly) Techplomacy. This emergent way of practicing International Relations was spurred by the unprecedented influence induced by the giant Technological Companies.

Under pressure from the U.S.

Rep Stacy Plaskett (D-VI) and Rep Russ Fulcher (R-ID) reintroduced legislation (H.R.3385) to request an assessment of the value, cost, and feasibility of developing a Trans-Atlantic submarine fiber optic cable that will connect the East coast of the United States, via the United States Virgin Islands, with Nigeria and Ghana. Presently, there is no direct fiber optic link between the US and the continent of Africa.

As it looks at 2025 and beyond to 2030, the telecommunications industry is expected to work to keep cutting costs, keep capital expenditures under control, monetize their past investments, and use mergers and acquisitions to drive value. Growth-oriented companies will likely also find ways to grow revenues faster than core connectivity growth would suggest. However, the market for telecommunications is rapidly evolving.

The advancement of digital technologies has led to the evolution of media content delivery methods. In particular, Over-The-Top (OTT) services have experienced an explosive growth in the video content industry. The skyrocketing data traffic increases the burden on ISPs’ infrastructure, and the discourse on CPs’ payment of network usage fees has emerged. It is significant to review the case of Netflix-SK Broadband in South Korea, the world’s significant legal dispute over network usage fees.

In an age of platforms, apps, and streaming services, telecommunications policy has a distinctly antiquated ring. Conventionally associated with POTS—plain old telephone systems—telecommunications policy, some might say, is decidedly not about PANS—pretty awesome new stuff. However, both POTS and PANS depend on a global infrastructural backbone of fiber optic cables, satellites, spectrum, and networks to bring the digital age to people’s homes, offices, and mobile phones.

Meta announced Project Waterworth, a subsea cable project aiming to reach five major continents. Project Waterworth plans to bring connectivity to the U.S., India, Brazil, South Africa, and other key regions.

If you know anything about Brightspeed, it’s been all about building fiber broadband.