Important Schedule Note


INCOMPAS Policy Summit Now Taking Place February 4-5 in D.C.

The 2026 INCOMPAS Policy Summit has been rescheduled to Wednesday, February 4 - Thursday, February 5. It's a perfect opportunity to engage directly with the leaders shaping America’s communications and AI infrastructure future. 

Registration is now open for this premier event – now expanded to two full days featuring keynotes from Capitol Hill, the Administration and key agencies, as well as panel discussions with industry thought leaders. It's your chance to be part of the dialogue with policymakers, innovators and industry executives.

February 4: Unleashing Innovation: Building the Backbone for the Digital Age

Day one will deliver essential updates on broadband, permitting reform, voice services and the Universal Service Fund (USF). Panels include:

• Breaking the Speed Barrier: Fixed Wireless as the Next Broadband Frontier
• From Copper to Cloud: Will the IP Shift Compromise America’s Emergency Calls?
• Permitting at the Speed of Innovation: Cutting Red Tape for America’s Digital Future
• The Invisible Lifelines: Securing America’s Global Connectivity Underwater
• Reimagining USF: Funding Connectivity in a Post-BEAD World

February 5: The Future of Infrastructure 

Day two will spotlight how AI infrastructure, next-generation networks and energy innovations are powering America’s digital future. Panels include:

• Recognizing Data Centers as Economic Engines
• Embracing Competitive Energy Markets
• Building the Bridge to an Abundant Energy Future
• Accelerating Infrastructure Deployment

Celebrate Telecom History

Join us for a special evening reception on Wednesday February 4 to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Telecommunications Act of 1996.

Elevate Your Brand: Sponsorships Now Available

Capitalize on high-level networking and thought leadership by sponsoring The 2026 Policy Summit, including the exclusive reception celebrating the Telecommunications Act of 1996 30th anniversary. This is your opportunity to achieve maximum brand visibility among policy influencers and industry leaders during this must-attend annual event.

Executive Order Establishes Federal AI Regulation Framework

On December 11, President Trump signed a broad Executive Order – Ensuring a National Policy Framework for Artificial Intelligence – aimed at curbing state and local AI regulations that the administration views as inconsistent with a unified federal approach to support U.S. AI competitiveness and innovation. The Order:

• Directs the Department of Commerce to evaluate existing state AI laws and identify those deemed “onerous” or conflicting with federal policy
• Empowers the Attorney General to establish an AI Litigation Task Force to challenge state laws in court
• Authorizes federal agencies to consider withholding discretionary funding – including broadband programs – from states whose AI rules the administration finds problematic.
• Directs the Commerce Department to assess the use of BEAD non-deployment funds as potential leverage, signaling that states with restrictive or divergent AI laws could face heightened scrutiny of their non-deployment funds or future funding limitations.
• Calls on the FCC and FTC to explore preemptive federal standards
• Positions the White House to prepare legislative recommendations for a uniform national AI framework, asserting that fragmented state regulation could hinder economic and national security objectives.

INCOMPAS CEO Chip Pickering said "[t]oday marks a defining moment in America's AI future. President Trump's executive order represents a critical step toward ensuring that America will maintain its leadership in the global AI race. The executive order follows through with what INCOMPAS has long been championing for, eliminating the fragmented patchwork of state regulations that threatens to strangle American innovation"

"In particular, INCOMPAS applauds the directive in the executive order that incentivizes states to ensure the BEAD nondeployment funds aren’t wasted as a result of onerous AI laws," he added. "This provision demonstrates the strategic alignment we have long advocated for between infrastructure investment and innovation policy. The powerful incentives will create public private partnerships that have long been the cornerstone of America’s economic development. By aligning broadband infrastructure investment with sound AI policy, we can ensure that federal dollars continue to advance America’s technological leadership."

Pickering concluded that "INCOMPAS and our members, who are building the infrastructure that powers AI development, look forward to working with the administration and Congress to provide the technical expertise necessary to develop the durable national framework this executive order calls for.”'s statement on the executive order. FCC Chairman Carr also issued a statement applauding the EO."