Broadband is On the Ballot

The next president will have a great say in a variety of issues related to broadband availability and services. He or she will establish funding priorities for broadband expansion to un- and under-served regions, direct (through various agencies) the allocation of spectrum for 5G and new satellite services, and more.

Another factor to consider is that with recent presidents increasingly governing by executive orders, the next president will likely have a huge thumb on the scale with respect to broadband regulatory issues.

What’s on the Line?

Support for broadband expansion is something on which both candidates are remarkably aligned. Broadband is considered essential for the U.S. government and companies to innovate and compete in global markets. 

However, Vice President Harris and former President Trump will likely take vastly different approaches to supporting broadband efforts. As we reported last week:

Harris’s efforts will likely center on providing more government grants and public-private partnerships. And her administration would likely continue Biden’s drive to increase broadband access to rural areas through programs like BEAD. 

Trump’s approach to broadband expansion and funding will likely embrace the principles of Project 2025 and other conservative thinking efforts that limit federal influence, support private deployment, and reduce regulations. For example, a Trump administration might seek tax incentives and private-sector partnerships to drive broadband infrastructure construction.

Related:The Impact of the Presidential Election on Networks

Divvying Up Spectrum

Spectrum allocation is another area where both candidates will probably undertake initiatives to expand broadband access. One area where spectrum availability helps is with 5G services.

During the past Trump administration, Ajit Pai, Federal Communications Commission Chairman, promoted plans to push more spectrum into the marketplace, promote 5G wireless infrastructure, and modernizing outdated regulations in the field.

Harris might follow President Biden's efforts, such as having the FCC explore ways to open up different spectral bands (e.g., the 42 GHz band) to support 5G fixed wireless access (FWA).

Another area where the new spectrum helps is with emerging satellite broadband services. In September, the FCC opened 1300 megahertz of spectrum for non-geostationary orbit (NGSO) fixed-satellite service operations in the 17.3-17.8 GHz band. Satellite operators will use the extra spectrum to deploy advanced services, including high-speed internet access to unserved and underserved areas.

In March, the FCC said it would allow SpaceX to use E-band frequencies between second-generation Starlink satellites and gateways on the ground. The move will allow SpaceX to improve the capacity of its Starlink broadband services. Given the close relationship between Trump and Elon Musk, it is likely a second Trump presidency would also focus on such efforts.

Checks and Balances Still Exist

Even though the next president will wield great power, there are judicial and Congressional aspects that will determine what actually gets done.

For instance, presidential influence may be diminished thanks to the recent Supreme Court ruling that shifts power over federal regulations from agencies to judges. The party that controls Congress will have the ability to prioritize, direct, and fund legislative actions and confirm agency appointees.

All Politics is Local

No matter what is done at the federal level, local governments increasingly are getting their two cents worth in, too.

For example, Florida’s Miami-Dade County has a straw poll measure on this year’s ballot related to the availability of free public Wi-Fi. A yes vote would expand free public Wi-Fi access countywide.

In past years, placement of 5G cell towers got the attention of state governments.

In 2023, the New York State Senate took up a bill that “prohibits the placement of 5G telecommunications towers within 250 feet of a business or residence in cities with a population of one million or more without the owner's consent; requires community board approval and the completion of a city environmental quality review before the placement of any 5G tower can be approved.” (Senate Bill S5123 is still in committee.)

And in 2021, then Governor Tom Wolf signed House Bill 1621 — the Small Wireless Facilities Deployment Act — into law. The law included new regulations for the deployment of small cells.

A second area that is getting increased attention from the states is how to make up for funding cuts due to the lapsed Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). The program provided monthly subsidies to 23 million households nationwide so that they could afford high-speed internet connections. It lapsed in May 2024. Since then, some state broadband offices and legislatures have been looking into ways to address the lack of funds.

A Final Word

It is safe to say that broadband will be a high priority in either presidential candidate’s administration. The two will take extremely different approaches, with Harris concentrating efforts on federal programs while Trump will look for private partnerships and fewer regulations.

Control of the House of Representatives and the Senate, which are both in play, will have its own implications. The House will have the power to find programs through revenue bills. The Senate will get to confirm Presidential agency appointees.