Welcome to the first issue of the Fiber Broadband Association (FBA) Public Policy Newsletter – your monthly briefing on FBA’s public policy work and developments we’re tracking.

2026 represents a key point in the policy cycle, with a more limited timeframe for advancing federal priorities. Historically, the second year of an administration has offered a meaningful opportunity to pursue major legislative initiatives before the focus of the political calendar shifts. At the same time, Congress will negotiate funding bills to keep the government running, putting additional pressure on floor time and priorities. Congress is already shifting into midterm posture. Members will spend more time in their districts, limiting committee work in Washington but creating opportunities for local engagement. Against this backdrop, broadband – especially fiber as the backbone of AI infrastructure – is increasingly seen as critical to U.S. competitiveness and growth. Our task is to convert that awareness into concrete policy outcomes.

This newsletter is meant to cut through the noise, spotlight what’s moving, and keep you informed of the initiatives FBA is driving to ensure fiber remains at the center of America’s digital future.

FBA presents its 2026 Policy Blueprint

FBA recently released its 2026 Policy Blueprint, a strategic roadmap outlining how fiber broadband underpins America’s economic and technological leadership. The Blueprint highlights FBA’s policy priorities for 2026, emphasizing fiber’s essential role in enabling AI, quantum networking, advanced manufacturing, healthcare, education, public safety, and other next-generation innovations, and focuses on accelerating fiber deployment to ensure all communities can benefit. Read the full Blueprint here.

NTIA and FBA members discuss BEAD

On January 12, FBA Members met with NTIA to discuss the upcoming implementation and execution phase of the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program. Members highlighted ongoing permitting bottlenecks and offered ideas for using remaining BEAD funds to speed reviews, expand staffing, improve transparency, and adopt modern permitting tools. The discussion also covered key metrics for assessing progress toward universal connectivity and monitoring grantee financial health.

FBA Members Meet with NTIA

FBA goes On the Record for Rural America

FBA was invited to submit written testimony at the invitation of the House Small Business Subcommittee on Rural Development, Energy, and Supply Chains for its hearing “Empowering Rural America Through Investment in Innovation.” FBA wants to ensure rural America has access to fiber broadband. For rural small businesses, access to modern, high-capacity broadband infrastructure increasingly determines whether innovation is possible at all. As essential services move online and technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) reshape commerce, agriculture, health care, and education, reliable fiber connectivity is no longer optional – it is a prerequisite for economic participation, and U.S. competitiveness. Read the full testimony here. 

FBA Launches “Fiber Policy Labs” at Regional Events

FBA’s Public Policy team is launching “Fiber Policy Labs” – policy programming alongside each Regional Fiber Connect, to foster conversations between FBA members and policymakers at the state and federal level. Each lab will focus on state and local policy priorities, opportunities to strengthen broadband deployment, and strategies to ensure fiber reaches all Americans – no matter their ZIP code. The first Policy Lab will take place in Oklahoma City on February 5th.

FBA Visits Policymakers on Capitol Hill

The FBA Public Policy team conducted literature drops to highlight AI and fiber. Even though the annual fly-in was postponed due to the government shutdown, FBA continued its engagement – reinforcing member priorities, briefing staff on policy developments, and building stronger relationships across the House and Senate.

Marissa Mitrovich in Senator Roger Wicker’s (R-MS) Office with Telecom Staff

Bicameral Legislation Introduced to Promote BEAD Non-Deployment Funds

On December 18, 2025, Sens. Roger Wicker (R-MS) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) introduced the Supporting U.S. Critical Connectivity and Economic Strategy and Security for BEAD Act (SUCCESS for BEAD Act) to amend the BEAD Program. Companion legislation was since introduced in the House by Reps. Andy Barr (R-KY) and Hal Rogers (R-KY). (The bill signifies the importance of ensuring remaining BEAD funds are utilized to strengthen digital infrastructure readiness and maintain U.S. leadership in innovation.

Key provisions include:

• Ensuring any fiber purchased with non-deployment funds is BEAD BABA compliant
• Allowing funds to support permitting efficiency
• Supporting workforce development targeting initiatives related to broadband deployment, emerging technologies/AI, cybersecurity, and electrical sectors

FBA supports this legislation and appreciates the opportunity to have worked with these offices to help inform this legislation. Read the full press release here. 

NTIA Releases New BEAD Terms and Conditions

On January 12, 2026, NTIA issued updated General Terms and Conditions (GT&Cs) for the BEAD program, outlining new requirements that all participating states and territories must follow across reporting, financial compliance, and program administration. Additions include:

• Condition 50: Prohibits states/territories from enforcing any state laws or regulations regulating broadband prices or net neutrality
• Condition 51: Prohibits subgrantees from accepting federal funds for BEAD-funded locations throughout the duration of the subgrant and the subsequent federal interest period (typically 10 years after closure of the grant)
• Condition 13.D: Imposes new requirements on grantees to achieve certain permitting milestones, including 90-day timelines for permit adjudication

Read the fully revised GT&Cs. The Benton Institute also issued a good summary of these terms.

BEAD Progress: 43 of 56 states and territories

Most recently, New Mexico secured approval for its historic $382 million broadband plan. Missouri received NTIA approval for its final BEAD proposal, enabling broadband expansion to 200,0000+ locations, with 82% served by fiber. Louisiana has made the most progress and has executed BEAD grant agreements with ISPs, clearing the way for deployments to begin.

NTIA to Hold Listening Session on Remaining BEAD Funds

NTIA announced a virtual listening session on the use of remaining BEAD non-deployment funds, scheduled for Wednesday, February 11, from 2–4 p.m. ET. The session is designed to gather stakeholder input to inform NTIA’s future planning and policy development.

For more information, see NTIA’s notice in the Federal Register.

House Democrats Launch AI and Innovation Economy Commission

House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries announced a new House Democratic Commission on AI and the Innovation Economy, which will assess economic, technological, and societal impacts of AI as Congress considers future AI policy.

FBA Public Policy Summit & Capitol Hill Fly-In Set for February 24–25

FBA will host its second annual Public Policy Summit & Fly-In on February 24–25 in Washington, D.C, bringing together FBA members, policymakers, and industry leaders for a day of discussions on broadband deployment, regulatory priorities, and the future of high-speed connectivity.

Featured Speakers include Chairman of the House Communications and Technology Subcommittee, Congressman Richard Hudson (R-NC), NTIA Chief of Staff, Brooke Donilon, Chief Washington Correspondent, New York Times, Carl Hulse, Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), and more to come.