FCC Chairman Brendan Carr outlined his “Build America Agenda” in a major policy speech in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, laying out a deregulatory framework to accelerate broadband infrastructure deployment, free up spectrum, boost satellite growth, and strengthen America’s telecom workforce. The address marks Carr’s first major speech since assuming the FCC chairmanship and reflects a return to Trump-era priorities focused on deregulation and private-sector investment.
Key elements of the agenda include new rulemakings to ease the retirement of legacy copper networks and to streamline pole attachment processes, aiming to lower costs and speed up fiber deployments nationwide. Carr also previewed an upcoming FCC vote on whether light poles qualify for broadband deployment under Section 224 of the Communications Act. Additionally, the Chairman promised to modernize permitting under Sections 253 and 332 and review outdated environmental regulations in line with recent Supreme Court rulings.
On the spectrum front, Carr committed to restoring America’s wireless leadership by initiating proceedings on Upper C-band and 37 GHz band spectrum and announcing plans to auction long-idle AWS-3 licenses. He emphasized spectrum’s strategic importance to U.S. national security and economic competitiveness. Other agenda items include aggressive FCC reforms to eliminate outdated rules, overhaul licensing processes for satellite operators, and elevate telecom workforce protections and wages. The “Build America Agenda” signals a sharp regulatory pivot with a focus on speed, simplification, and strengthening U.S. leadership in next-gen infrastructure.
- FCC to launch rulemakings on copper network retirement and pole attachment reform
- New spectrum auctions planned for AWS-3; 37 GHz band under review
- FCC to streamline satellite licensing and open 20,000 MHz of spectrum for orbital use
- Chairman promises to cut outdated telecom rules, including for telegraph and phone booths
- Telecom workforce safety, wages, and employment protections cited as key policy drivers
“It is time to unleash new growth and opportunity. It is time to build. Through the FCC’s Build America Agenda, we will do exactly that,” said FCC Chairman Brendan Carr.