Nicole Ferraro - Light Reading
@nicfer.bsky.social
Broadband editor for Light Reading:
https://www.lightreading.com/author/nicole-ferraro
https://www.lightreading.com/author/nicole-ferraro
The FCC will vote this morning on an order to rescind security rules imposed on ISPs after the Salt Typhoon hack. The move comes "after heavy lobbying from the very telecommunications carriers whose networks were breached," said Sen. Cantwell in a letter to Carr: www.lightreading.com/broadband/go...
Gomez, Cantwell slam FCC's move to undo security rules
Move to undo rules comes 'after heavy lobbying from the very telecommunications carriers whose networks were breached by Chinese hackers,' said Cantwell.
www.lightreading.com
November 20, 2025 at 1:30 PM
The FCC will vote this morning on an order to rescind security rules imposed on ISPs after the Salt Typhoon hack. The move comes "after heavy lobbying from the very telecommunications carriers whose networks were breached," said Sen. Cantwell in a letter to Carr: www.lightreading.com/broadband/go...
The FCC will vote next week on a notice of proposed rulemaking to roll back some requirements for consumer broadband labels. But as @publicknowledge.bsky.social warns "the Commission could create a permission structure for ISPs to continue to act without accountability." | @lightreading.bsky.social
Broadband labels back on FCC's to-do list
Public Knowledge warns the FCC that changing broadband label rules may 'create a permission structure for ISPs to continue to act without accountability.'
www.lightreading.com
October 23, 2025 at 12:45 PM
The FCC will vote next week on a notice of proposed rulemaking to roll back some requirements for consumer broadband labels. But as @publicknowledge.bsky.social warns "the Commission could create a permission structure for ISPs to continue to act without accountability." | @lightreading.bsky.social
House Dems, along w/@agomezfcc.bsky.social, continue to raise alarm over Carr's use of the FCC to serve Trump, w/Dems saying in a new letter Carr's "misuse of regulatory processes represent an unprecedented weaponization of the agency." www.lightreading.com/video-broadc... |@lightreading.bsky.social
Dems seek investigation into Brendan Carr
House Democrats call for investigation into FCC Chair Brendan Carr following ABC's suspension of Jimmy Kimmel.
www.lightreading.com
September 22, 2025 at 4:39 PM
House Dems, along w/@agomezfcc.bsky.social, continue to raise alarm over Carr's use of the FCC to serve Trump, w/Dems saying in a new letter Carr's "misuse of regulatory processes represent an unprecedented weaponization of the agency." www.lightreading.com/video-broadc... |@lightreading.bsky.social
Reposted by Nicole Ferraro - Light Reading
Amazon is seeking to roll back the FCC's five-year deorbit rule, and I had something to say about that. 😁 #spacedebris #satellites
Amazon wants the FCC to roll back a five-year deorbit rule for satellites which was established in 2022 to mitigate the harms of orbital debris.
Read more on Light Reading:
Read more on Light Reading:
Amazon to FCC: Drop five-year deorbit rule
Amazon wants the FCC to roll back a five-year deorbit rule for satellites which was established in 2022 to mitigate the harms of orbital debris.
www.lightreading.com
September 19, 2025 at 6:26 AM
Amazon is seeking to roll back the FCC's five-year deorbit rule, and I had something to say about that. 😁 #spacedebris #satellites
Reposted by Nicole Ferraro - Light Reading
People need to understand that Carr is at best only a step or two removed from your average internet shitposter and he has always wanted to regulate speech that he hates. He is living his best life right now as the industry knuckles under.
I've been saying this for years, but welcome to the party.
I've been saying this for years, but welcome to the party.
September 19, 2025 at 12:39 PM
People need to understand that Carr is at best only a step or two removed from your average internet shitposter and he has always wanted to regulate speech that he hates. He is living his best life right now as the industry knuckles under.
I've been saying this for years, but welcome to the party.
I've been saying this for years, but welcome to the party.
Reposted by Nicole Ferraro - Light Reading
This FCC does not have the authority, the ability, or the constitutional right to police content or punish broadcasters for speech the government dislikes.
Free speech is the foundation of our democracy, and we must push back against any attempt to erode it.
Free speech is the foundation of our democracy, and we must push back against any attempt to erode it.
September 18, 2025 at 3:41 PM
This FCC does not have the authority, the ability, or the constitutional right to police content or punish broadcasters for speech the government dislikes.
Free speech is the foundation of our democracy, and we must push back against any attempt to erode it.
Free speech is the foundation of our democracy, and we must push back against any attempt to erode it.
New for @lightreading.bsky.social: preliminary BEAD results from several states in the past week show fiber is still winning the majority of broadband serviceable locations and funding, but LEO satellite is picking up a bit of steam.
Fiber still dominates most BEAD locations
Several states' final proposals released in recent days show fiber still leads in BEAD location wins.
www.lightreading.com
August 26, 2025 at 2:32 PM
New for @lightreading.bsky.social: preliminary BEAD results from several states in the past week show fiber is still winning the majority of broadband serviceable locations and funding, but LEO satellite is picking up a bit of steam.
"This set of regional outcomes is within potential awardee capacity ... supplies universal coverage of eligible locations, and demonstrates a technology-neutral approach prioritizing low-cost projects," said WV of its final BEAD proposal. || @lightreading.bsky.social
West Virginia sticks with fiber for BEAD
The third state to release its final proposal for BEAD, West Virginia's revised program will still award 99% of its broadband deployment funding for fiber networks.
www.lightreading.com
August 20, 2025 at 2:54 PM
"This set of regional outcomes is within potential awardee capacity ... supplies universal coverage of eligible locations, and demonstrates a technology-neutral approach prioritizing low-cost projects," said WV of its final BEAD proposal. || @lightreading.bsky.social
This week's episode of #TheDivide pod for @lightreading.bsky.social explores @nycfuture.bsky.social's illuminating report on the digital divide in the Bronx, which includes some great policy recommendations for targeting issues around device access and skills training. Listen here:
The Divide: Digging into the biggest broadband barriers in the Bronx
This week: Eli Dvorkin and Rachel Neches, from the Center for an Urban Future, join the podcast to discuss their report exploring the extent and causes of the ongoing digital divide in the Bronx, New ...
www.lightreading.com
August 19, 2025 at 3:03 PM
This week's episode of #TheDivide pod for @lightreading.bsky.social explores @nycfuture.bsky.social's illuminating report on the digital divide in the Bronx, which includes some great policy recommendations for targeting issues around device access and skills training. Listen here:
New for @lightreading.bsky.social: Advocates for fixed wireless access were among the first to cheer the Trump administration's rewrite of the Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) program, but early results show a low level of FWA activity and wins.
What's going on with fixed wireless and BEAD?
Advocates for fixed wireless access (FWA) were among the first to cheer the Trump administration's rewrite of the Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) program, but early results show a low le...
www.lightreading.com
August 13, 2025 at 2:19 PM
New for @lightreading.bsky.social: Advocates for fixed wireless access were among the first to cheer the Trump administration's rewrite of the Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) program, but early results show a low level of FWA activity and wins.
NYC will host a network design and procurement process this summer to roll out Liberty Link: a city-owned fiber network, operated by the NYPL, offering free Internet service for at least three years to 35 affordable housing buildings. @lightreading.bsky.social
New 'Liberty Link' fiber network to connect low-income New Yorkers
New York City will conduct a network design and procurement process this summer for Liberty Link, a pilot program to connect affordable housing buildings in the Bronx and Manhattan to free fiber broad...
www.lightreading.com
July 24, 2025 at 1:03 PM
NYC will host a network design and procurement process this summer to roll out Liberty Link: a city-owned fiber network, operated by the NYPL, offering free Internet service for at least three years to 35 affordable housing buildings. @lightreading.bsky.social
Reposted by Nicole Ferraro - Light Reading
California is advancing a broadband bill that was intended to follow in New York's footsteps with a low-cost service mandate. But consumer advocates now oppose the bill over amendments that weaken enforcement and lower speeds.
Read more on Light Reading:
Read more on Light Reading:
California digital equity advocates move to oppose broadband affordability bill
California is advancing a broadband bill that was intended to follow in New York's footsteps with a low-cost service mandate. But consumer advocates now oppose the bill over amendments that weaken enf...
www.lightreading.com
July 2, 2025 at 3:56 PM
California is advancing a broadband bill that was intended to follow in New York's footsteps with a low-cost service mandate. But consumer advocates now oppose the bill over amendments that weaken enforcement and lower speeds.
Read more on Light Reading:
Read more on Light Reading:
This week on The Divide for @lightreading.bsky.social we hear from NDIA's Angela Siefer on the immediate and long-term impact of Trump (unlawfully) terminating grants from the Digital Equity Act and how advocates and states can fight back. www.lightreading.com/broadband/th...
The Divide: Trump terminates Digital Equity Act – now what?
This week: Angela Siefer, executive director of the National Digital Inclusion Alliance (NDIA), on the impact of President Trump 'ending' the $2.75 billion Digital Equity Act and how advocates can fig...
www.lightreading.com
May 19, 2025 at 2:42 PM
This week on The Divide for @lightreading.bsky.social we hear from NDIA's Angela Siefer on the immediate and long-term impact of Trump (unlawfully) terminating grants from the Digital Equity Act and how advocates and states can fight back. www.lightreading.com/broadband/th...
Reposted by Nicole Ferraro - Light Reading
4500 Cleveland households are now getting <$20 wireless home broadband from growing nonprofit ISP DigitalC... another excellent "Divide" interview by @nicfer.bsky.social at @lightreading.bsky.social. (Listen close, my name is dropped.)
The Divide: How DigitalC is closing Cleveland's connectivity gaps
This week: Joshua Edmonds, CEO of DigitalC, on the nonprofit ISP's history providing connectivity and digital skills training in Cleveland, and how DigitalC is working to meet its subscriber goals and...
www.lightreading.com
May 5, 2025 at 7:32 PM
4500 Cleveland households are now getting <$20 wireless home broadband from growing nonprofit ISP DigitalC... another excellent "Divide" interview by @nicfer.bsky.social at @lightreading.bsky.social. (Listen close, my name is dropped.)
New for @lightreading.bsky.social: Over 40 fiber suppliers increased domestic manufacturing in 28 states to comply with BEAD's "Buy America" rules, as set by the Biden admin. But program delays, new tariffs & the Trump admin's push to strip BEAD of its fiber focus may threaten those US investments.
How delays and tariffs could affect BEAD's US manufacturing goals
Over 40 fiber suppliers increased domestic manufacturing to comply with the BEAD program's 'Buy America' rules. However, prolonged program delays and a shift away from BEAD's fiber focus could put suc...
www.lightreading.com
April 9, 2025 at 9:08 PM
New for @lightreading.bsky.social: Over 40 fiber suppliers increased domestic manufacturing in 28 states to comply with BEAD's "Buy America" rules, as set by the Biden admin. But program delays, new tariffs & the Trump admin's push to strip BEAD of its fiber focus may threaten those US investments.
"We've built smart broadband plans tailored to our communities, and federal changes at this stage risk undermining years of progress and deliberation. The best thing Washington can do is let states finish the job," said Missouri State Rep. Louis Riggs, a Republican. #BEAD
State lawmakers urge Lutnick not to delay BEAD with forced changes
Over 100 bipartisan state legislators signed a letter to Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick warning that 'mandatory changes' to the BEAD program may delay implementation 'by a year or more' and urging ...
www.lightreading.com
April 3, 2025 at 6:42 PM
"We've built smart broadband plans tailored to our communities, and federal changes at this stage risk undermining years of progress and deliberation. The best thing Washington can do is let states finish the job," said Missouri State Rep. Louis Riggs, a Republican. #BEAD
The framework of the Universal Service Fund (USF) is "more likely than not" to be upheld, said analyst Blair Levin after yesterday's SCOTUS hearing. But if Trump/Musk rewrite broadband rules to favor satellites, that could still blow up the program's future. More on @lightreading.bsky.social:
USF framework 'more likely than not' to be upheld – analyst
The framework of the Universal Service Fund is 'more likely than not' to be upheld, said Blair Levin after a Supreme Court hearing. But the USF's future could still be muddled by Trump administration ...
www.lightreading.com
March 27, 2025 at 11:08 AM
The framework of the Universal Service Fund (USF) is "more likely than not" to be upheld, said analyst Blair Levin after yesterday's SCOTUS hearing. But if Trump/Musk rewrite broadband rules to favor satellites, that could still blow up the program's future. More on @lightreading.bsky.social:
"For those in the tech industry who supported this administration thinking it would mean less regulation or more 'business friendly' policies: you've catastrophically misread the situation."
Wrote up something about Techdirt's recent coverage, and why (whether we like it or not) we need to be a "democracy blog" now, rather than just a "tech" blog (not that we've ever been just a tech blog).
This story is *the* story and it impacts everything else.
www.techdirt.com/2025/03/04/w...
This story is *the* story and it impacts everything else.
www.techdirt.com/2025/03/04/w...
Why Techdirt Is Now A Democracy Blog (Whether We Like It Or Not)
While political reporters are still doing their view-from-nowhere “Democrats say this, Republicans say that” dance, tech and legal journalists have been watching an unfortunately recogn…
www.techdirt.com
March 5, 2025 at 1:22 PM
"For those in the tech industry who supported this administration thinking it would mean less regulation or more 'business friendly' policies: you've catastrophically misread the situation."
"We'll be ripping up the province's contract with Starlink. Ontario won't do business with people hellbent on destroying our economy," Doug Ford said on X.
Ontario to kill Starlink contract over Trump tariffs
Ontario Premier Doug Ford used Elon Musk's social media site X to report that he would be ripping up a contract with SpaceX's Starlink, signed in November, over Trump's tariffs on Canada.
www.lightreading.com
February 3, 2025 at 4:23 PM
"We'll be ripping up the province's contract with Starlink. Ontario won't do business with people hellbent on destroying our economy," Doug Ford said on X.
www.lightreading.com/broadband/fe... Among the programs expected to be halted by OMB's sudden directive to "pause" all federal grants and loans in the $42.5 billion Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) program, part of the bipartisan infrastructure law, designed to close the digital divide.
Federal funding freeze creates 'considerable uncertainty' for BEAD – analyst
The Trump administration's pause on federal grants and loans is expected to halt the $42.5 billion Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) program and other funds relevant to telecom, but the ov...
www.lightreading.com
January 28, 2025 at 5:32 PM
www.lightreading.com/broadband/fe... Among the programs expected to be halted by OMB's sudden directive to "pause" all federal grants and loans in the $42.5 billion Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) program, part of the bipartisan infrastructure law, designed to close the digital divide.
Reposted by Nicole Ferraro - Light Reading
Louisiana became the first state to secure final approval of its BEAD plan from the NTIA this week. The state's broadband director expects construction to begin in a matter of months.
Read more on Light Reading:
Read more on Light Reading:
Louisiana expects BEAD shovels in ground in 'next 100 days'
Louisiana became the first state to secure final approval of its BEAD plan from the NTIA this week. The state's broadband director expects construction to begin in a matter of months.
www.lightreading.com
January 14, 2025 at 3:54 PM
Louisiana became the first state to secure final approval of its BEAD plan from the NTIA this week. The state's broadband director expects construction to begin in a matter of months.
Read more on Light Reading:
Read more on Light Reading:
Nevada is the third state to announce its provisional grant winners for the BEAD (Broadband Equity Access and Deployment) program, following Louisiana and Delaware. Read more at @lightreading.bsky.social: www.lightreading.com/broadband/co...
Cox, Amazon, AT&T to get BEAD grants in Nevada
Nevada has released its provisional BEAD winners, with grants going to AT&T, Cox, Amazon's Project Kuiper and more. The largest sums, totaling $323 million, will go to local firms Sky Fiber Intern...
www.lightreading.com
December 18, 2024 at 5:38 PM
Nevada is the third state to announce its provisional grant winners for the BEAD (Broadband Equity Access and Deployment) program, following Louisiana and Delaware. Read more at @lightreading.bsky.social: www.lightreading.com/broadband/co...
Reposted by Nicole Ferraro - Light Reading
2024 in review: This year saw the death of the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), and the near-death of the Universal Service Fund (USF) whose fate now rests with the Supreme Court and Congress. Here's a recap, and what to expect next.
Read more on Light Reading:
Read more on Light Reading:
2024 in review: RIP ACP and WTF USF
This year saw the death of the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), and the near-death of the Universal Service Fund (USF) whose fate now rests with the Supreme Court and Congress. Here's a recap, a...
www.lightreading.com
December 16, 2024 at 3:36 PM
2024 in review: This year saw the death of the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), and the near-death of the Universal Service Fund (USF) whose fate now rests with the Supreme Court and Congress. Here's a recap, and what to expect next.
Read more on Light Reading:
Read more on Light Reading:
For your weekend listening pleasure, here's my recent conversation with Gigi Sohn for @lightreading.bsky.social about what's happening with public broadband networks across the US:
www.lightreading.com/broadband/th...
www.lightreading.com/broadband/th...
The Divide: Gigi Sohn on growing, funding and defending public broadband networks
This week: Gigi Sohn, executive director, American Association for Public Broadband, joins the podcast to discuss the rise of public broadband networks, ongoing hurdles to the model, recent public bro...
www.lightreading.com
December 13, 2024 at 6:13 PM
For your weekend listening pleasure, here's my recent conversation with Gigi Sohn for @lightreading.bsky.social about what's happening with public broadband networks across the US:
www.lightreading.com/broadband/th...
www.lightreading.com/broadband/th...