Broadband

Google and Meta Undersea Cables Rank Among Pacific’s Most Vulnerable to Sabotage

New research ranks trans-Pacific submarine cables by sabotage vulnerability, identifying Google and Meta projects among high-risk systems while documenting Chinese research vessel activity near critical underwater communications infrastructure. more

Technology Advances That Could Transform the Broadband Industry

Research breakthroughs that highlight advances in semiconductor design, record-setting fiber transmission, light-based quantum computing and WiFi sensing, with potential implications for network performance, energy efficiency and privacy. more

UK Proposes Tougher Undersea Cable Security Laws and Emergency Intervention Powers

The UK proposes stronger security obligations for undersea cable operators, tougher penalties for infrastructure damage and emergency intervention powers, raising questions about compliance costs, repair readiness and the resilience of international Internet connectivity. more

London Ranks Last Among 18 European Capitals for Mobile Download Speeds

Ookla's latest benchmarking ranks London last among 18 European capitals for mobile download speeds, revealing persistent congestion, worsening latency and infrastructure constraints despite widespread 5G availability. more

The WiFi Dilemma: Why ISPs Get Blamed for Poor In-Home Connectivity

Poor in-home WiFi significantly increases broadband customer dissatisfaction and churn risk. New survey findings highlight the challenge ISPs face when customers blame providers for connectivity problems beyond their direct control. more

Data Centers Can Profitably Clean Up Their Act

As opposition to large data centers grows, developers face mounting pressure to address environmental impacts, infrastructure costs and limited local economic benefits. Greater transparency and community engagement could prove more profitable than secrecy. more

The Growth of Mobile-Dependent Households

Purdue researcher Roberto Gallardo finds that as US Internet access expanded, millions of households became mobile-dependent, highlighting persistent affordability, device and digital literacy barriers that infrastructure investment alone may not solve. more

AT&T Chief Challenges Economics of SpaceX’s Mobile-Network Strategy

AT&T CEO John Stankey questions the economics of SpaceX's expanding mobile strategy as regulatory filings and independent measurements show the spectrum, satellite capacity and terrestrial infrastructure involved in scaling direct-to-device service. more

SpaceX Deploys First 26 Starlink V3 Satellites on Starship

SpaceX deployed 26 Starlink V3 satellites on Starship’s first orbital mission, beginning a network expansion whose promised capacity gains depend on the spacecraft completing checkout and entering service. more

SpaceX Wants to End Rural Broadband Subsidies

SpaceX argues that Starlink makes rural broadband subsidies obsolete, but questions about speed, universal availability, voice service and affordability complicate its case for eliminating high-cost Universal Service Fund support. more

Remote Work Is Here to Stay, but Rural Broadband Gaps Remain

Remote work remains far above pre-pandemic levels, but rural participation trails urban areas as job mix and inadequate broadband limit opportunities for working from home. more

Study Finds Tribal-Built Broadband Network Linked to 4% Income Gain

A tribal-built broadband network on Washington's Colville Reservation was associated with a 4% income increase, offering evidence that connectivity can produce economic gains even without substantial growth in household broadband subscriptions. more

Canada Plans Sovereign Broadband Backbone With New Fibre Investment Incentive

Ottawa plans to help finance a national broadband backbone with direct links to Europe and Asia, while new tax incentives aim to spur fibre investment and strengthen Canadian control over critical digital infrastructure. more

Starlink’s Other Network

Starshield gives SpaceX a separate military satellite network, raising a broader question about whether Starlink could dedicate satellites to cellular and business backhaul without reducing broadband capacity for residential customers. more

FCC Moves to Open 1,050 MHz of Spectrum to Satellite Broadband

The FCC plans to open 1,050 MHz in the 12.7 GHz and 42 GHz bands to expanded satellite use, adding capacity for broadband, mobile connectivity, inter-satellite links and ground networks. more