This bill creates a new federal program to expand high-speed broadband access in rural areas by providing grants, loans, and combinations of both. It sets minimum standards requiring 100 Mbps downstream and upstream speeds, prioritizes projects in communities where at least 90% of households lack such service, and directs funding toward areas with high poverty, small populations, or strategic community plans. Eligible applicants include tribal organizations, cooperatives, local governments, and rural utilities, with requirements to meet buildout deadlines, participate in federal affordability programs, and provide cost-sharing (up to 25%). The program authorizes $650 million annually from 2026 to 2030 to fund infrastructure construction, improvement, or acquisition in underserved rural communities.
HR 5147, the WIRELESS Leadership Act, amends federal law to clarify local governments' authority over cell tower and wireless facility permits while setting clear rules for approval. It requires local governments to approve or deny requests within strict timeframes (60-150 days depending on facility size), prohibits discrimination against wireless providers, and mandates written justifications for denials. The bill directly affects wireless providers (like telecom companies) and local governments handling permits for cell towers, small cell installations, and related infrastructure. If local governments miss deadlines, requests are automatically approved, ensuring faster deployment of wireless services without altering FCC regulations on radio frequency emissions.
The Lower Internet Costs Act (HR 5550) requires broadband providers to clearly show the total price of service as a single line item on customer bills and in promotional materials, including the regular price after introductory offers end. It prohibits specific "covered fees" like network maintenance charges, local government right-of-way fees, and equipment repair fees. The bill applies to all broadband subscribers and providers, mandating transparent pricing for both standard plans and bundled services (e.g., internet plus TV). Key provisions include requiring providers to disclose price changes 60 and 30 days in advance for limited-time offers and specifying that taxes or equipment fees aren’t included in the stated total price.
The Middle Mile for Rural America Act extends the deadline for funding rural broadband infrastructure projects under the Rural Electrification Act from 2023 to 2031. This directly affects rural communities by providing more time to build the backbone internet networks that connect local areas to broader high-speed services. The key mechanism is amending Section 602(g) of the Rural Electrification Act to update the program's timeframe, allowing eligible projects to qualify for support through 2031. The bill focuses on concrete policy changes to support existing infrastructure funding, without adding new programs or resources.
HR 6558, the Defense Secure Mobile Phones Act of 2025, requires the Department of Defense (DoD) to provide wireless mobile phones with enhanced cybersecurity protections to senior officials and employees performing sensitive national security functions. The law mandates that all such phones and related telecom services must include encryption for data on devices and communications, capabilities to prevent tracking by rotating device identifiers, and continuous device monitoring. DoD must report to Congress within 180 days detailing the contracts used, criteria for identifying affected personnel, and associated costs. This bill directly affects DoD personnel handling sensitive security work by implementing specific technical security standards for their mobile devices.
This bill prevents federal or state agencies from requiring duplicate permits for undersea fiber optic cables that already have valid federal or state licenses, leases, or permits. It directly affects telecommunications companies operating these cables, ensuring they don't face additional authorization hurdles in national marine sanctuaries. The key provision prohibits the Secretary of Commerce from blocking or demanding new permits for cable installation, maintenance, or repair if a prior federal or state permit exists. This streamlines operations for existing cable infrastructure without creating new regulatory requirements.
HR 6152, the Foreign Robocall Elimination Act, establishes an interagency task force to address foreign robocalls entering the United States. The task force, composed of the FCC, FTC, DOJ, and private sector representatives, will study the origins, impacts, and potential solutions to foreign robocalls and must submit a report to Congress within 360 days. The bill also modifies existing law to require FCC notices about robocall mitigation every three years instead of annually, and introduces a bond requirement for providers using the Robocall Mitigation Database. This legislation affects telecommunications providers, federal agencies, and all U.S. telephone users who receive unwanted calls. The bill aims to improve coordination between U.S. agencies and foreign countries in combating illegal robocalls through concrete policy changes.
This bill extends the timeframe for funding middle-mile broadband infrastructure projects in rural areas under the Rural Electrification Act. It amends Section 602(g) by changing the period from 2018-2023 to 2026-2031, allowing rural communities more time to access and deploy this critical internet backbone infrastructure. Middle-mile infrastructure connects local networks to the broader internet, directly benefiting rural residents and businesses lacking reliable high-speed internet access. The change is a simple extension of an existing program's timeline without creating new funding or requirements.
HR 2817, the Coastal Broadband Deployment Act, exempts certain broadband infrastructure projects in floodplains from standard federal environmental and historic preservation reviews. It directly affects telecom companies seeking to deploy or modify broadband facilities entirely within floodplains (as defined by federal regulations) and requiring Federal Communications Commission (FCC) permits. The bill removes the need for environmental reviews under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and historic preservation assessments under the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) for these specific projects. This change streamlines the approval process for broadband infrastructure in coastal floodplain areas without altering the underlying FCC permitting requirements.
HR 1717, the Communications Security Act, requires the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to establish a council within 90 days to advise on securing, reliably operating, and ensuring interoperability of communications networks. The council must include industry representatives (excluding entities deemed a national security threat by the FCC Chair), public interest groups/academia (also excluding "not trusted" entities), and government representatives from federal, state, local, and tribal levels. Council members serve two-year terms, and the group must submit biennial reports to the FCC Chair, which will be made publicly available online. This bill directly affects FCC operations and entities potentially excluded from council membership under national security criteria.
