On July 2, 2025, FCC Chairman Brendan Carr delivered a major policy speech in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. In the speech Chairman Carr outlined his “Build America Agenda” for the FCC which included comments on the following initiatives:
* Unleashing High-Speed Infrastructure Builds – Addressing the need to accelerate high speed infrastructure builds across the country and the need to cut red tape that is slowing progress and driving up costs. The Chairman specifically addressed the need to transition from copper line networks to high-speed networks and the need for permitting reform as a top priority for the FCC.
* Restoring America’s Leadership in Wireless – Addressing the need to free up more spectrum. Freeing up spectrum creates jobs, increases competition, and drives down prices.
* Boosting America’s Space Economy – Addressing the importance of our space industry related to the provision of high-speed internet and homeland security.
* Cutting Red Tape and Modernizing the FCC Operations – Citing the need to eliminate rules and regulations that are unlawful, outdated, or no longer necessary.
* Advancing National Security and Public Safety – The Build America Agenda will ensure the maintenance of secure and resilient networks and it will extend our leadership over China in the race for critical technologies like 5G, 6G, and AI.
* Strengthening America’s Workforce – Citing the need for a strong U.S. workforce and ensuring that telecom crews can operate in a safe and sustainable environment and receive fair compensation.
In his comments the Chairman addressed specific items that will be considered by the FCC at its July 24, 2025 open meeting to advance the Build America Agenda as outlined above. Please note the following:
* The Commission will consider a Direct Final Rule as part the Delete, Delete, Delete proceeding. The Direct Final Rule, if adopted, would advance the process of repealing rules identified as outdated and obsolete and set the stage for further use of similar tools for further deregulation in the future. In addition, the Direct Final Rule would repeal 18 rule provisions identified from throughout the FCC that no longer serve the public interest.
* The Commission will consider a NPRM intended to accelerate the transition from aging copper line networks to modern next-generation networks.
* The Commission will consider a Fifth Report and Order and a Fourth Further NPRM continuing the FCC’s efforts to further facilitate the pole attachment process to promote fast, efficient, and ubiquitous deployment of broadband facilities.
As mentioned above, in his speech Chairman Carr addressed the need to address the permitting process and its effects on the timely provision of high-speed broadband services. In a very timely ex parte meeting with the FCC on June 30,2025, NTCA expressed their concerns on this topic. NTCA pointed out that securing Right of Ways and permits from state and local governments are expensive and the time to obtain permits causes delays in the provision of broadband infrastructure. NTCA urged the Commission to use its authority under Section 253 of the Communications Act to address these barriers to network deployment created by state or local regulations or other legal requirements.
We’ll continue to monitor the FCC’s actions relative to the Build America Agenda and will provide updates as appropriate.
