All articles tagged with #broadband
The article reflects on 11 notable pieces from 2025 that showcase the Washington Monthly’s ongoing critical and inventive reporting on politics, including topics like misinformation about broadband, the rise of a MAGA defender, and the success of Biden's industrial policies, emphasizing the magazine's independent voice and the importance of reader support.
SpaceX is set to launch 24 Amazon Project Kuiper broadband satellites from Florida on October 13, after a delay, as part of its ongoing effort to build a large satellite constellation for global internet coverage, with this being the third launch for Project Kuiper and part of a broader plan involving multiple rockets and companies.
Smith Island in Maryland, home to 202 residents, has finally received high-speed internet, ending its long-standing lack of broadband connectivity in a rural area.
SpaceX has purchased $17 billion worth of satellite spectrum from EchoStar to enhance its Starlink direct-to-cell service, enabling better mobile connectivity worldwide and increasing satellite throughput up to 20 times. The deal also resolves regulatory issues and ends EchoStar's plans for its own LEO satellite constellation, while providing EchoStar with financial relief and integration opportunities.
Last year, Republicans ended the FCC's Affordable Connectivity Program, which provided discounts to low-income Americans, leading to increased broadband costs and subscriber losses for Charter. Now, Charter faces a class action lawsuit claiming it misrepresented the impact of losing the program, amid ongoing subscriber declines and industry challenges.
AST SpaceMobile plans to deploy 45 to 60 satellites by 2026 to provide cellular broadband services, positioning itself as a competitor to SpaceX's Starlink, with a fully funded plan and launches scheduled every one to two months.
AOL has announced it will discontinue its dial-up internet service by September 30, ending an era of 1990s internet connectivity characterized by noisy modems and slow speeds, as broadband has largely replaced dial-up for most users.
Amphenol is acquiring CommScope's connectivity and cable solutions business for $10.5 billion to expand its broadband and network infrastructure offerings, marking its largest acquisition and aiming to capitalize on growing broadband and 5G demand, while CommScope sells this unit to improve its financial position amid debt challenges.
Amazon has launched 78 of its planned 3,232 Kuiper broadband satellites, with the latest launch using SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket, marking a step forward in Amazon's effort to compete with SpaceX's Starlink. The project is costly, with over $10 billion spent on launches alone, and faces delays due to rocket availability, leading Amazon to rely on SpaceX for some launches. The full constellation aims to provide global broadband coverage, but Amazon may need to request an extension for FCC launch deadlines due to these delays.
Amazon plans to launch its satellite internet project, Project Kuiper, by the end of 2025 to provide connectivity in underserved areas, competing with Elon Musk's Starlink. The project has already launched two satellite sets and could generate significant revenue, but weather conditions pose a risk to satellite launches. Wall Street analysts are optimistic about Amazon's stock, with a strong buy rating and potential upside.
Comcast shares fell over 8% after CEO Dave Watson announced the company expects to lose more than 100,000 broadband subscribers in the fourth quarter due to intense competition, particularly from wireless providers like Verizon and T-Mobile. The cable broadband market has been struggling, with fewer new home sign-ups and increased competition affecting growth. Despite these challenges, Comcast's higher-end internet packages remain stable. The company had nearly 32 million domestic broadband customers as of September 30.
SpaceX is advancing its Starlink mission with a $52 million Falcon 9 rocket launch, deploying 20 new satellites, including 13 with 'Direct to Cell' capabilities. This expansion aims to enhance global internet connectivity by using a low Earth orbit satellite constellation, promising faster speeds and lower latency compared to traditional geostationary satellites. Starlink currently serves four million customers across over 100 countries, with plans to eventually deploy up to 42,000 satellites. Subscription costs range from $120 to $5,000 per month, depending on speed and service level.
Researchers from Aston Institute of Photonic Research have set a new world record for data transmission speed at 402 terabits per second using standard optical fiber. This breakthrough, achieved by operating across six wavelength bands, could stabilize broadband costs amid rising demand and significantly enhance global communication infrastructure.
The Affordable Connectivity Program, which provided internet subsidies to low-income and rural households, including tribal areas, has run out of funds. This endangers telehealth services and internet access for many, with significant impacts on rural and tribal communities. Lawmakers are debating the program's future, while the Biden administration urges Congress to act and has secured low-cost plans from major internet providers to mitigate the impact.
The FCC has mandated new broadband “nutrition labels” for all wired and wireless internet service providers (ISPs) to provide transparent information about plan costs, speeds, and hidden fees, resembling food product ingredient lists. T-Mobile and other ISPs have begun displaying these labels, aiming to eliminate surprises on monthly bills and empower consumers to make informed choices when selecting broadband plans. The labels, resembling nutritional labels on food packaging, are a result of the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and are intended to provide valuable data for consumers to compare plans more easily.