Telecommunication

The Federal Communications Commission voted to begin a formal inquiry that will take a closer look at how artificial intelligence technology impacts illegal and unwanted robocalls and robotexts. The agency will assess both AI’s potential to positively and negatively affect consumers. As artificial intelligence technology becomes more prevalent, it presents opportunities to protect consumers but it can also pose privacy and safety challenges. In the case of robocalls and robotexts, AI could improve analytics tools used to block unwanted calls and texts and restore trust in our networks.

The rapid spread of fiber broadband connections in emerging markets is set to drive growth in those countries’ digital economies, according to the Financial Times-Omdia Digital Economies Index. India, Brazil, Kenya, and Mexico are among the countries highlighted by Omdia analysts as experiencing rapid take-up of fiber broadband, which is faster and more reliable than mobile or older copper-wire broadband connections.

T-Mobile expanded its fiber ambitions to a handful of new markets via partnerships with several open access fiber network operators including Tillman FiberCo and SiFi Networks, among others. The developments reflect T-Mobile's growing interest in partnering with fiber network operators to offer T-Mobile-branded fiber services running over another company's network. It is a model that T-Mobile knows well as companies like Dish Network, Altice and Google Fiber pursue a similar strategy using T-Mobile's own wireless network.

Charter Communications released its third quarter earnings for 2023, reporting that total residential and small and medium business ("SMB") Internet customers increased by 63,000. As of September 30, 2023, Charter served a total of 30.6 million residential and SMB Internet customers. Third quarter total residential and SMB mobile lines increased by 594,000, and Charter currently serves a total of 7.2 million mobile lines. As of the end of the third quarter, Charter had a total of 32.2 million residential and SMB customer relationships, which excludes mobile-only relationships.

The United States is no stranger to wildfires. These fires can ignite utility poles, melt aerial fiber optic cables, obscure wireless signals, or damage transmitting or receiving equipment. This kind of damage can cut homes off from key public safety resources, and prevent calls for help in the most dire situations. As states now know their share of the $42.5 billion Broadband, Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program, they should begin planning new network deployments and upgrades to withstand increasingly severe natural disasters.

Comcast reported results for the third quarter (Q3) ended September 30, 2023. The company reported the domestic broadband average rate per customer increased by 3.9 percent and drove domestic broadband revenue growth of 3.8 percent. Fierce reported that Comcast continued to lose broadband subscribers in the third quarter, with executives predicting slightly higher losses for Q4. However, the company touted an uptick in broadband average revenue per user (ARPU).

Shenandoah Telecommunications Company (Shentel) announced it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire 100 percent of the equity interests in Horizon Telecom for $385 million. Consideration will consist of $305 million in cash and $80 million of Shentel common stock. Horizon is a leading commercial fiber provider in Ohio and adjacent states serving national wireless providers, carriers, enterprises, and government, education and healthcare customers.

Here’s everything we have on deck for our November Open Meeting.

Mediacom is making progress in bridging the digital divide across rural Iowa, as it just wrapped up two fiber expansion projects in the towns of Rutland and Williams (IA). Residents can now sign up for broadband plans with up to 2-gigabit download speeds as well as low-cost phone plans. Including these two projects, Mediacom has built fiber in 12 communities in collaboration with the Empower Iowa Rural Broadband Grant Program. The public-private partnership has allowed the operator to bring fiber to over 1,600 rural Iowa locations.

Verizon released its third-quarter earnings and subscriber numbers for 2023. The company ended the quarter with approximately 10.3 million broadband subscribers, an increase of nearly 21 percent year over year. Total broadband net additions were 434,000, representing the fourth consecutive quarter that Verizon reported more than 400,000 broadband net additions. Total broadband net additions included 384,000 fixed wireless net additions, an increase of 42,000 fixed wireless net additions from third-quarter 2022. Verizon now has nearly 2.7 million subscribers on its fixed wireless service.