The FCC is calling for suggestions on which of its rules should be eliminated in a docket (25-133) called “In re: Delete, Delete, Delete,” the agency announced in a news release and public notice Wednesday. “The FCC is committed to ending all of the rules and regulations that are no longer necessary. And we welcome the public’s participation and feedback throughout this process,” said Chairman Brendan Carr in the release. “For too long, administrative agencies have added new regulatory requirements in excess of their authority or kept lawful regulations in place long after their shelf life had expired.” The effort is linked to White House executive orders on deregulation and the Department of Government Efficiency, the release said. “We are seeking public input on identifying FCC rules for the purpose of alleviating unnecessary regulatory burdens,” the public notice said.

The Donald Trump administration’s tariffs and conflicts with traditional allies in North America and Europe could complicate U.S. preparations for the next World Radiocommunication Conference in 2027, experts said Tuesday during a Technology Policy Institute spectrum webinar. The U.S. has traditionally worked through the Inter-American Telecommunication Commission (CITEL), which represents the Americas region, but relationships with other CITEL members are increasingly in question, speakers said.

FCC leadership, including Chairman Brendan Carr, is already closely aligned with President Donald Trump's agenda, lessening the effect of the president's executive order about increasing White House control over independent agencies like the FCC, Davis Wright attorneys blogged Monday. Carr's FCC will likely follow Trump's agenda and priorities in practice, regardless of the theoretical independence of commissioners, Davis Wright said. But an issue could arise that sees Republican-appointed commissioners splitting with Trump on key issues, it said. In that case, the level of presidential control over the FCC's agenda and whether Trump can remove commissioners over policy disagreements "may have serious practical consequences."

Despite the bottleneck of launch availability at the most heavily used U.S. sites, launch operators don't foresee packing up and moving to another, lesser-used spaceport. Launch company executives speaking Monday at the Satellite 2025 show in Washington said the size of rockets, especially heavy launch vehicles, precludes using some spaceports. Regulatory issues can also be an impediment. Brian Rogers, vice president-global launch services for Rocket Lab, added that it's incredibly expensive to set up infrastructure at another site.

AT&T launched five broadband expansion projects totaling $11.4 million in Oklahoma, the company announced Friday with the Oklahoma Broadband Office. The projects, funded with federal grants and additional funding from AT&T, will connect 2,760 homes and businesses with fiber. "Today's launch marks more than the rollout of fiber -- it's the foundation of opportunity, growth, and connection for every corner of Oklahoma," said Oklahoma Broadband Office Executive Director Mike Sanders.

The Senate Commerce Committee has apparently pushed back the confirmation hearing for NTIA nominee Arielle Roth and Republican FCC nominee Olivia Trusty, several communications sector officials and lobbyists told us Friday. The panel was eyeing March 13 for the hearing (see 2503060066). A new date was not circulating Friday, but some lobbyists expect the hearing to happen later this month. Lobbyists were not certain why Senate Commerce decided to postpone, but some previously noted that it was uncertain whether the panel would be able to include Trusty on March 13's agenda. A Senate Commerce Democratic spokesperson said Thursday afternoon that the minority office still hadn't received the necessary executive branch paperwork to move either nominee forward. President Donald Trump nominated Roth, Senate Commerce Republicans’ telecom policy director, in early February (see 2502040056). He picked Trusty, a Senate Armed Services Committee Republican staffer, for the FCC seat former Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel vacated Jan. 20 (see 2501160077).

Schools, Health and Libraries Broadband Coalition Executive Director John Windhausen told us that a potential vote on a Congressional Review Act resolution of disapproval (S.J.Res. 7) to undo the FCC's July 2024 order allowing E-rate funding for off-premises Wi-Fi hot spots and wireless could be difficult for “a lot of senators because the applications for" that money are coming from 46 states (see 2503060059).

Supporters of the FCC’s July order reducing call rates for people in prison while establishing interim rate caps for video calls (see 2407180039) said Friday they’re cautiously optimistic that the agency won’t make significant rules changes. Chairman Brendan Carr expressed some concerns in July and concurred with only parts of the incarcerated people’s communication services (IPCS) order, but he also said most of his objections were already addressed. The order implements the Martha Wright-Reed Act of 2022.

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth promotes Katie Arrington to acting DOD chief information officer, replacing Leslie Beavers, who again becomes principal deputy CIO ... Spectrum promotes Keith Dardis to executive vice president-Spectrum Business.

The FCC’s July order reducing call rates for people in prison while establishing interim rate caps for video calls (see 2407180039) is effectively the law of the land, and prisons must follow it, said Bianca Tylek, executive director of Worth Rises, which represents the interests of prisoners. Tylek noted Thursday at a press conference that the 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, which is hearing challenges to the order (see 2407180039), hasn’t granted a stay. “It is very normal for an industry to litigate and sue a federal agency when it gets regulated,” she said. “That happens in every single industry … The rules are in effect right now.”