The FCC issued a tentative agenda for its March 26 open meeting, where it will consider:

• Improving Customer Service and Consumer Protection – An NPRM that proposes a range of actions to address problems with offshore call centers, including actions to encourage and facilitate onshoring of call centers, improve customer service and security of communications, and steps to address illegal robocall scams that originate inside foreign call centers. 
• Combatting Illegal Robocalls Through FCC Numbering Policies – An NPRM that would seek comment on and evaluate whether to adopt changes to its numbering policies with respect to how assigned numbering resources are utilized, reported and resold by service providers as part of its continuing effort to combat illegal robocalls. 
• Modernizing Network and Communication Services – A Report and Order that adopts measures to reduce regulatory barriers and costs that hinder the transition from outdated legacy networks and services to next-generation, IP-based infrastructure. 
• Spectrum Abundance for Weird Space Stuff – An NPRM that proposes and seeks comment on ways in which to make additional spectrum available for command and control of spacecraft supporting emergent space operations, but which do not use spectrum as part of any radio communications services provided to the public.
• Modernizing Suspension and Debarment Rules – A Report and Order, Direct Final Rule and FNPRM that would revise the FCC’s current non-procurement suspension and debarment rules by adopting the Office of Management and Budget’s (OMB) Guidance for Governmentwide Debarment and Suspension and supplemental FCC-specific rules to expand the Commission’s tools for combatting fraud, waste and abuse, and remove bad actors from Commission programs. 
• Amending Part 1, 73, 74 and 76 Rules Applicable to Broadcast Stations – A Report and Order to update rules for broadcast radio and television stations to reflect current application processing requirements, clarify and harmonize provisions, and remove references to outdated procedures and legacy filing systems.
• Rescinding Obsolete Provisions – A Direct Final Rule as part of the Delete, Delete, Delete proceeding that would remove 18 rules, including 17 rule provisions impacting the Office of Economics and Analytics’ (OEA) Auction Division that are no longer in use by the Commission or govern expired events and one rule relating to the Office of International Affairs (OIA) that imposed carrier burdens under a deleted requirement.

On March 6, the NTIA said guidance on the allowable uses of about $21 billion in BEAD non-deployment funds won't be coming next week, as was widely expected.

Citing recent listening sessions in which the agency got feedback on the topic, NTIA Administrator Arielle Roth said they're "taking additional time to review the comments and finalize our approach to ensure these funds are spent as efficiently and responsibly as possible. American taxpayers work hard for their money and deserve nothing less from this Administration."

The House of Representatives passed H.R. 5419, the Enhancing Administrative Reviews for Broadband Deployment Act. Introduced by Rep. Tom Kean, Jr. (R-NJ), the bill would direct the U.S. Department of the Interior and U.S. Department of Agriculture to conduct a comprehensive review of administrative barriers that delay the review of communications use authorizations. Within one year, the agencies must report to Congress with their findings and submit a plan to provide adequate staffing to ensure timely permit reviews. The bill moves to the Senate for consideration.

Reps. August Pfluger (R-TX) and Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ) introduced legislation that would provide for time limits for action by the FCC on applications for the transfer of control or assignment of any license or other authorization subject to the jurisdiction of the FCC. The Keep It Moving Act would:

• Establish strict timelines for the FCC’s review process, removing artificial delays and bringing greater transparency and oversight to how applications are handled
• Require a full FCC vote to deny any application, ensuring consequential decisions are made by confirmed commissioners accountable to Congress and the American people

Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA) introduced legislation that would terminate the ability of eligible telecommunications carriers in certain states to use state eligibility determination processes in place of the National Verifier to determine eligibility of consumers for Lifeline service.

Last week, the House Education and Workforce Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Development held a hearing entitled “Building an AI-Ready America: Strengthening Employer-Led Training.”

The hearing focused on how employer-led training models—including registered apprenticeships, sector partnerships, and community college partnerships—can prepare workers for rapid changes driven by AI, broadband expansion and evolving labor market demands.

Watch the hearing on-demand.