A plan for cutting regulations and federal institutions such as the FCC could target broadband access programs and media regulations, but it's likely that a wave of litigation will stymie it, administrative law professors and attorneys told us. Future Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) heads Vivek Ramasawamy and Space X CEO Elon Musk laid out their plans in a Wall Street Journal opinion column. “It's not to say that maybe some of these changes shouldn't be happening, but, you know, they're taking a wrecking ball to fix something that requires a little bit more finesse than that,” said University of Idaho law professor Linda Jellum. Asked about possible DOGE cuts at the FCC, incoming FCC Chairman Brendan Carr last week told reporters, “There's no question, there's tons of room for driving more efficiency at the FCC." He didn't elaborate.

An order the FCC released late Thursday about 5.9 GHz rules largely omitted use of the band for Wi-Fi, despite pleas of unlicensed advocates (see 2407220015). The long-awaited order focuses instead almost exclusively on final rules for cellular-vehicle-to-everything technology in the band (see 2411210054).

Senate Commerce Committee ranking member Ted Cruz, R-Texas, is warning NTIA that Congress will “review the BEAD program early next year,” when Republicans will control both chambers, and plan to pay “specific attention to” program requirements that have drawn GOP ire. Congressional Republicans are likely to at least pursue a revamp of BEAD to rein in what they view as NTIA’s flawed implementation of the $42.5 billion initiative, while a clawback of program funds is less likely (see 2410210043). Drew Garner, Benton Institute for Broadband & Society director-policy engagement, pushed back Friday against criticisms Cruz separately leveled at NTIA's notice of funding opportunity (NOFO) for its $1.25 billion digital equity competitive grant program (see 2411210041).

Industry and public interest groups disagreed last week about whether the California Public Utilities Commission should temporarily freeze the state LifeLine specific support amount (SSA) for wireline and wireless providers. The CPUC is considering freezing the SSA at $19 beginning Jan. 1 until a new methodology is calculated (see 2406040032).

The FCC submarine cable NPRM now asks about ensuring cable licensees don't use equipment or services from entities on the agency’s covered list of organizations that pose a U.S. security threat. Commissioners at their open meeting Thursday unanimously approved the subsea cable NPRM, as expected (see 2411120001), as well as a robocall third-party authentication order. They also approved 5-0 an order creating a permanent process for authorizing content-originating FM boosters, which let broadcasters geotarget content within their broadcast reach for up to three minutes per hour (see 2411140053). The meeting saw the four regular commissioners praise Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel, who said Thursday she would step down Jan. 20, the date the next presidential administration takes power. Minority Commissioner Brendan Carr, who is slated to become chair (see 2411180059), discussed his agenda with media (see 2411210028).

Google should end its distribution agreements with companies like Apple, sell Chrome and potentially also sell Android, DOJ and nearly 40 state attorneys general said Wednesday in an antitrust lawsuit against the platform (see 2410220040).

Outgoing FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel received praise from the regular commissioners at Thursday's open meeting (see 2411210006) as she announced plans for stepping down Jan. 20, the date the next presidential administration takes power. Addressing reporters, incoming FCC Chairman Brendan Carr repeatedly named "tech censorship" and the "censorship cartel" as major priorities. "Smashing this [censorship cartel] is going to be a top issue," he said.

Open radio access network deployments could soon reach an important stage as open networks mature, experts said Thursday during an Informa Tech webinar. Speakers agreed that further work remains before ORAN is deployed by operators worldwide.

John Windhausen, executive director of the Schools, Health & Libraries Broadband Coalition, said Wednesday his organization is willing to work with FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr and other Republicans to save a program that lets schools and libraries use E-rate support for off-premises Wi-Fi hot spots and wireless internet services. On tap to lead the FCC next year under President-elect Donald Trump, Carr voted against the E-rate program's creation, as did fellow Republican Nathan Simington (see 2410070028).

Communications Daily is tracking the lawsuits below involving appeals of FCC actions.