GuruFocus: CenterPoint Energy (CNP) Stock Rises Amid Storm Outage Forecast
Jan. 26 — The increase followed the company’s forecast regarding potential power outages due to an impending storm. CenterPoint Energy estimated that between 100,000 to 200,000 customers might experience power disruptions.
https://www.gurufocus.com/news/8552023/centerpoint-energy-cnp-stock-rises-amid-storm-outage-forecast
DataCenterDynamics: US gov’t permits ERCOT to utilize data center back up generators during Texas storm
Jan. 26 — The US government issued an emergency order on Sunday (25 January) allowing Texas’ regional transmission operator (RTO), the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT), to use backup generators at data center sites to prevent rotating outages caused by a winter storm currently impacting much of the state.
WFAA: North Texas power outages: Thousands are still without power – here’s how to check the map, your status
Jan. 26 — Thousands of Texans are without power on Saturday morning as a winter storm is expected to move through North Texas this weekend.
D Magazine: Atmos needs to go back to high school.
Jan. 26 — I’d like you to have a look at the image below. It’s snapped from my most recent Atmos bill. It confused me. I was like, “Why have I used so much more gas this month than I did a year ago?” Until this weekend, this winter has been pretty warm.
https://www.dmagazine.com/micropost/atmos-needs-to-go-back-to-high-school/
Fox 44: Oncor teams fully engaged as second round of precipitation impacts service area
Jan. 25 — As the second round of the ongoing winter storm continues to make its way through Oncor’s service area, responding personnel are traveling across hazardous and icy road conditions which may impact response times.
CBS19: ONCOR gives update as crews work to restore power in East Texas amid wintry weather
Jan. 25 — Oncor crews are working in this bitter cold to get the lights turned on for thousands of East Texans right now.’
TDEM Press Release: GOVERNOR ABBOTT ADDS COUNTIES TO TEXAS DISASTER DECLARATION FOR WINTER STORM
Jan. 25 — With the addition of these counties as the effects of winter weather continue across the state, the total number of counties included in the state’s disaster declaration is now 219.
https://www.tdem.texas.gov/press-release/1-25-26
Houston CW 39: CenterPoint Energy says more than 99% of its Houston-area customers have power following the winter storm.
Jan. 25 — CenterPoint said that since 6 a.m. Sunday, only 2,000 of its customers had outages after the storm hit overnight. Since 6 a.m. Saturday morning, around 27,000 customers have had their power restored.
https://cw39.com/news/local/centerpoint-power-outage-tracker-houston-winter-storm/
CenterSquare: Texas oil and gas industry prepared to provide power through storm
Jan. 24 — The Texas oil and natural gas industry is prepared to provide power throughout a winter storm that has already dumped several inches of snow in the Panhandle and heavy rainfall in the Permian Basin, the power producing region of the state and country.
https://www.thecentersquare.com/texas/article_298f590e-e782-49c8-9719-c7b057176565.html
KVUE: Scam text alert: ERCOT warns Texans of fake outage messages
Jan. 24 — Some Texans have been getting text messages claiming to be from ERCOT, saying there will be rolling power outages starting Saturday night. Those texts are part of a scam and not real.
KHOU 11Ú Texas power grid usage | A real-time look at supply and demand and grid conditions
Jan. 24 — Anytime the Texas power grid is the subject of a conservation advisory, or when the weather turns extreme in the Lone Star State, it’s a good time to check on supply and demand.
https://www.khou.com/article/news/local/texas/texas-power-grid-usage-ercot-dashboard/285-30159915-54f3-44f7-b523-b21aff37cdd4
Your Basin: Outages across west Texas caused by equipment failure, Oncor says
Jan. 23 — Officials said the cause of the outages across Andrews, Odessa, and Midland was “equipment failure,” and stated that they have fixed the issue and will continue to monitor everything as the weather continues.
https://www.yourbasin.com/news/more-than-3000-without-power-in-midland-oncor-reports/
Houson Chronicle: What to know about ERCOT blackouts and CenterPoint power outages before the Texas winter storm
Jan. 23 — Gov. Greg Abbott and other officials say that a failure of the statewide grid similar to 2021 is very unlikely, but some Texans could see “localized” power outages if there’s lots of freezing rain and ice in their area.
https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/know-ercot-blackouts-centerpoint-power-200045841.html
KVUE: CenterPoint says it’s added hundreds of workers to respond to Houston-area winter weather
Jan. 23 — CenterPoint Energy is ramping up staffing to be ready for power issues.
https://www.kvue.com/video/weather/centerpoint-houston-winter-weather/269-5a62fd8a-8e00-4522-8bb6-914c65fb4c50
WHOP: ATMOS ENERGY PROVIDES SAFETY, ENERGY CONSERVATION TIPS FOR UPCOMING COLD SNAP
Jan. 22 — The National Weather Service in Paducah issued a winter storm watch for a bulk of Western Kentucky, including Christian, Todd and Trigg counties from late Friday night through Sunday morning. Within that time frame, NWSP forecasters are expecting the region to receive anywhere between four to 13 inches of snow as well as some possible ice.
www.whopam.com/2026/01/22/atmos-energy-provides-safety-energy-conservation-tips-for-upcoming-cold-snap/
NBC DFW: Ice threat to power lines looms as winter storm nears North Texas
Jan. 22 — As a massive winter storm approaches, electric companies such as Oncor and Rayburn Electric Cooperative say they are deploying equipment ahead of potential power outages caused by ice accumulation.
https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/local-power-outages-concern-winter-storm/3971463/
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KTRH: ERCOT Issues Weather Watch Ahead of Winter Weather
Jan. 22 — ERCOT has issued a Weather Watch from January 24-27 due to forecasted below-freezing temperatures with the possibility of frozen precipitation across the ERCOT region, higher electrical demand, and the potential for lower reserves. Grid conditions are expected to be normal.
https://ktrh.iheart.com/featured/operation-stormwatch-houston-texas/content/2026-01-20-abbott-activates-state-emergency-response-ahead-of-winter-weather-threat/
KXAN: Texas power grid expected to meet demand for winter season, ERCOT says
Jan. 21 — An ERCOT media representative stated that, “based on expected weather conditions, ERCOT anticipates there will be sufficient generation to meet demand this winter.” The representative said the organization will continue to monitor weather conditions throughout the week and plans to keep Texans informed through various communications channels.
https://www.kxan.com/news/texas/texas-power-grid-expected-to-meet-demand-for-winter-season-ercot-says/
KHOU: CenterPoint says they’ve added hundreds of workers to respond to the Houston area’s winter weather
Jan. 21 — The company has secured more than 600 additional frontline workers, expanding its workforce to about 3,300 people to respond to potential outages and system damage. CenterPoint also plans to stand up three staging sites Thursday at different strategic locations across the northern part of its Houston service area to pre-position crews, vehicles and equipment for possible restoration work.
https://www.khou.com/article/weather/centerpoint-houston-outage-workforce-winter-weather/285-cb276d6e-3f04-4368-a839-72b363ae68f2
Texas Tribune: As winter storm approaches, Texas officials say the state is ready, won’t repeat 2021 catastrophe
Jan. 21 — State and local officials say they’re better prepared than they were five years ago when Winter Storm Uri blanketed the state, killing hundreds and leaving scores without power and water.
www.texastribune.org/2026/01/21/texas-winter-storm-watch-prepare-ercot-grid/
KPRC: Track the Texas power grid: Here’s how to monitor ERCOT’s current grid conditions in real-time
Jan, .21 — ERCOT, which manages the state’s main power grid, created a dashboard where residents can track its current conditions and usage.
https://www.click2houston.com/news/local/2026/01/21/track-the-texas-power-grid-heres-how-to-monitor-ercots-current-grid-conditions-in-real-time/
Texas Tribune: As data centers jostle to get on Texas’ grid, ERCOT promises new rules for planning
Jan. 19 — Texas’ main electric grid operator is developing a new process to evaluate multiple large-load interconnection requests at the same time. The question for cryptocurrency miners and data center developers that are already in line is: Who gets to go first?
www.texastribune.org/2026/01/19/ercot-texas-data-centers-electricty-demand/
ABC 13: ERCOT working on a planning process to address data centers looking to come to Texas
Jan. 19 — Winter weather isn’t the thing putting a possible strain on the grid. Late last week, ERCOT leaders met with the Public Utility of Commission of Texas to talk about a planning process to handle businesses, including data centers and cryptocurrency companies that use a lot of power.
https://abc13.com/post/ercot-working-planning-process-address-data-centers-looking-come-texas/18434307/
Hoodline: Atmos Wants 10.5% Hike On Home Bills
Jan. 19 — Atmos Energy is asking Dallas officials to sign off on a roughly 10.5% bump in what residents pay for natural gas delivery, a move that would add about $11.25 to the average monthly residential bill. The request, filed through the company’s annual Dallas Annual Rate Review, targets delivery charges only, not the commodity cost of natural gas itself. City staff and outside consultants will now comb through the filing and brief councilmembers before the city decides how to respond.
https://hoodline.com/2026/01/dallas-gas-shock-atmos-wants-10-5-hike-on-home-bills/
WFAA: Higher gas bills? Atmos asks Dallas City Council to OK raising rates again — this time by 10 percent
Jan. 19 — Dallas gas customers could see higher bills as Atmos Energy seeks a 10 percent rate hike, citing infrastructure costs and a $321 million investment in the city.
https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/local/dallas-county/dallas-gas-rate-possible-10-percent-increase-atmos-2026/287-f7cae29a-e630-48a0-b851-dab5c3860c94
El Paso Matters; El Paso Electric proposes $473 million gas plant to power Meta data center operations
Jan. 18 — El Paso Electric is seeking state approval to build a new natural gas-powered electric plant to support Meta Platform’s future data center needs – a move that is raising concerns among some city leaders though state regulators must review and approve the application before the facility can be built.
www.elpasomatters.org/2026/01/18/el-paso-electric-meta-data-center-new-473-million-natural-gas-power-plant/
Tribune News: (Commentary) COMMENTARY: Trump’s broadband moves save billions
Jan. 18 — Absent government mandates, competition forces private companies to prioritize merit. But government doesn’t face that pressure. Fortunately, the Trump administration has taken a different approach. Assistant Commerce Secretary Arielle Roth trashed most of the Biden administration’s requirements and focused on projects with private companies making larger capital investments. This deregulation effort is projected to save taxpayers $21 billion, she said recently.
https://www.newstribune.com/news/2026/jan/18/commentary-trumps-broadband-moves-save-billions/
Canary Media: Solar is finally bigger than coal in Texas
Jan. 16 — Texas, long a leader on wind energy, has been building solar at a blistering pace in recent years. It’s now the state with the most utility-scale solar capacity, beating out longtime champion California for the top spot.
https://www.canarymedia.com/articles/solar/chart-solar-is-finally-bigger-than-coal-in-texas
Tech Dirt: Trump FCC Helps Verizon Make It Harder For You To Switch Wireless Carriers
Jan. 16 — The Trump FCC says it is eliminating rules requiring that Verizon unlock handsets 60 days after they are activated on its network. As part of its lobbying efforts, Verizon has falsely claimed that adhering to the 60 day unlocking requirements is somehow a huge boon to criminals, something Brendan Carr’s industry-coddling FCC parrots in the agency’s announcement:
www.techdirt.com/2026/01/16/trump-fcc-helps-verizon-make-it-harder-for-you-to-switch-wireless-carriers/
United States Energy Information Administration: Solar power generation drives electricity generation growth over the next two years
Jan. 16 — Much of the utility-scale solar generation capacity additions will come online in Texas. We expect that solar electricity generation supplied to the grid managed by the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) will grow from 56 BkWh in 2025 to 106 BkWh by 2027. Increasing amounts of battery storage capacity help to support the fluctuations in solar output during the day. The electric power sector plans to expand battery capacity in ERCOT from about 15 GW in 2025 to 37 GW by the end of 2027.
https://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.php?id=67005
Inside Climate News: As data centers jostle to get on Texas’ grid, ERCOT promises new rules for ‘Batch Zero’
Jan. 15 — The group would include large power users who’ve been waiting a long time for interconnection and don’t need further study. It’s ERCOT’s first attempt at a new planning process in which multiple requests will be considered simultaneously.
www.insideclimatenews.org/news/15012026/texas-ercot-rules-for-data-center-grid-connection/
Blockspace: ERCOT approves 830 MW expansion at Galaxy’s Helios site
Jan. 15 — Galaxy purchased the former bitcoin mine from Argo Blockchain in December 2022 for roughly $65 million. Now, Galaxy is revamping Helios for AI workloads in its partnership with CoreWeave (NASDAQ: CRWV). Galaxy has inked a 15-year, $15 billion contract with the neocloud to deliver 800 MW of critical IT load to CoreWeave GPUs clusters to be hosted at Helios.
https://blockspace.media/insight/ercot-approves-830-mw-expansion-at-galaxys-helios-site/
KDH News: Oncor planning to move forward with transmission line project
Jan. 11 — Oncor, a Texas-based electric transmission and utility company is planning to request approval this spring from the Public Utility Commission of Texas for a transmission line project. If approved, the line would span more than 200 miles and would run through several communities in Bell County.
https://kdhnews.com/news/local/oncor-planning-to-move-forward-with-transmission-line-project/article_a0785efb-9107-4cd2-9fe4-899c3949d27d.html
Pulse 2.0: Spearmint Energy Lands Kyuden Equity Investment For Two 200 MWh ERCOT Battery Projects
Jan. 8 — Spearmint Energy closed an equity investment from Kyuden International Corporation to support Tierra Seca and Seven Flags, two 100 MW / 200 MWh battery energy storage systems (BESS) located in Del Rio and Laredo, Texas. The two projects add a combined 400 MWh of storage capacity to ERCOT, the Texas power grid.
https://pulse2.com/spearmint-energy-lands-kyuden-equity-investment-for-two-200-mwh-ercot-battery-projects/
PV Magazine: Texas developer secures 10 GWh+ of BESS capacity to supply data centers
Jan. 8 — Greenflash said its newly secured more than 10 GWh of battery energy storage system (BESS) capacity will be added to the over 1 GWh of battery storage already ready for near-term deployment, as well as an additional 2 GWh scheduled for delivery in March 2026.
https://www.ess-news.com/2026/01/08/texas-developer-secures-10-gwh-of-bess-capacity-to-supply-data-centers/
ENR Texas & Southwest: Energy Vault Expands Its Footprint in the Texas Market
Jan. 8 —Energy Vault Holdings Inc. has begun construction on the SOSA Energy Center, a 150‑MW/300‑MWh battery energy storage project in Madison County, Texas. The project advances the developer’s owned‑asset strategy and marks the fourth facility to move into construction under its Asset Vault platform, said the company.
https://www.enr.com/articles/62307-energy-vault-expands-its-footprint-in-the-texas-market
Street Insider: Vistra acquires Cogentrix natural gas assets for $4 billion
Jan. 5 — Vistra Corp. (NYSE: VST) announced it has executed definitive agreements to acquire Cogentrix Energy for approximately $4.0 billion. The acquisition includes 10 natural gas generation facilities totaling approximately 5,500 megawatts of capacity across PJM, ISO New England, and ERCOT markets.
https://www.streetinsider.com/Corporate+News/Vistra+acquires+Cogentrix+natural+gas+assets+for+%244+billion/25805076.html
Utility Dive: 4 of 5 offshore wind farms challenge Trump administration stop work order
Jan. 5 — The December stop work order is estimated to be costing the projects anywhere from $1 million to $5 million per day.
https://www.utilitydive.com/news/orsted-equinor-offshore-wind-projects-stop-order-trump-burgum/808728/y
Utility Dive: (Opinion) Rooftop solar is booming, but not in the communities that need it most
Jan. 5 — Solar adoption in the U.S. has become the fastest-growing source of power in the country. In 2024, 84% of all new electricity generation capacity added to the grid came from solar and storage, with the number of solar installations surpassing five million.
https://www.utilitydive.com/news/rooftop-solar-is-booming-but-not-in-the-communities-that-need-it-most/805488/
Crossroads Today: Major transmission upgrade coming to Wharton County area
Jan. 7 — Since 2018, significant renewable energy generation (solar, storage, wind) has developed near the 345 kV transmission lines in Fort Bend and Wharton Counties along the Hillje to W.A. Parish corridor.
https://www.crossroadstoday.com/news/local-news/major-transmission-upgrade-coming-to-wharton-county-area/article_2d9499d2-8245-46fe-a707-7eb6bc2094ac.html
PV Magazine: ERCOT outperformed on interconnection in 2024 likely due to “connect and manage”
Jan. 7 — More than 25 GW of large-scale generating projects seeking an interconnection agreement in the ERCOT grid region reached that stage in 2024. Berkeley Lab said ERCOT’s “connect and manage” approach “is likely one reason” for the grid operator’s success.
www.pv-magazine-usa.com/2026/01/07/ercot-outperformed-on-interconnection-in-2024-likely-due-to-connect-and-manage/
Dallas Initiatives: Irving-Based Vistra To Acquire Natural Gas Powerhouse Cogentrix Energy in $4B Deal
Jan. 6 — The acquisition includes three combined cycle gas turbine facilities and two combustion turbine facilities located across Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Maryland; four combined cycle gas turbine facilities in New England, and one ERCOT cogeneration facility in Texas.
www.dallasinnovates.com/irving-based-vistra-to-acquire-natural-gas-powerhouse-cogentrix-energy-in-4b-deal/
Fort Worth Star-Telegram: Abandoned Fort Worth power plant up for consideration as endangered landmark
Jan. 6 —The city of Fort Worth’s Development Services department is seeking to designate the abandoned Fort Worth Power and Light Company Plant/TXU plant on North Main Street as a highly significant endangered landmark after the property was recently listed for sale.
https://www.star-telegram.com/news/local/fort-worth/article314218040.html#storylink=cpy
Utility Dive: ERCOT’s large load queue jumped almost 300% last year
Jan. 6 — The surge has “outgrown the process that was established for reviewing these large loads,” an Electric Reliability Council of Texas official said.
https://www.utilitydive.com/news/ercots-large-load-queue-jumped-almost-300-last-year-official/808820/
PV Magazine: Energy Vault begins construction on 150 MW storage project in Texas
Jan. 6 — Energy Vault Holdings has started construction on the SOSA Energy Center, a 150 MW / 300 MWh battery energy storage system located in Madison County, Texas. The project is situated within the ERCOT North market and is expected to reach commercial operation by the second quarter of 2027.
www.pv-magazine-usa.com/2026/01/06/energy-vault-begins-construction-on-150-mw-storage-project-in-texas/
Construct Connect News:
Jan. 5 — At the present time, there are 375 data centers already operating in Austin, Houston, Dallas, and San Antonio, with another 70 currently under construction, according to research and advisory firm Baxtel.
https://news.constructconnect.com/renewable-energy-is-key-to-powering-texas-data-centers
BROADBAND NEWS
Telecompetitor: AI and rural broadband: Interview with Shirley Bloomfield
Jan. 23 — Some rural broadband providers are early adopters of artificial intelligence (AI) while others remain skeptical — but it’s clear AI is a powerful tool for the industry when used correctly. That’s what Shirley Bloomfield, CEO of NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association, told Telecompetitor in a recent interview.
www.telecompetitor.com/ai-and-rural-broadband-interview-with-shirley-bloomfield/
Government Accounting Office: States’ Reported Progress Implementing Requirements to Facilitate Deployment Along Federal-Aid Highways
Jan. 22 — Expanding broadband access requires adequate infrastructure. However, some parts of the country, especially rural areas, don’t have “middle mile” infrastructure connecting local internet providers to the global internet. Providers may install fiber optic cable, but excavations can be expensive.
https://www.gao.gov/products/gao-26-107734
Sen. Welch Press Release: Welch, Cruz Lead Bipartisan ‘SAT Act’ to Help Rural Communities Access High-Speed Internet
Jan. 22 — U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Ranking Member of the Senate Agriculture Committee on Rural Development, Energy, and Credit, alongside U.S. Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Senate Commerce Committee Chairman, this week reintroduced the bipartisan Satellite and Telecommunications Streamlining (SAT) Act, legislation to expand access to high-speed internet in rural communities.
Lawfare: The AI Preemption Executive Order’s BEAD Strategy Faces Steep Legal Hurdles
Jan. 21 — BEAD—a statute about deploying service and connecting locations—never mentions AI and lacks the clarity these interpretative canons require.
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General Accounting Office; States’ Reported Progress Implementing Broadband Requirements to Facilitate Deployment Along Federal-Aid Highways
Jan. 22 — Expanding broadband access requires adequate infrastructure. However, some parts of the country, especially rural areas, don’t have “middle mile” infrastructure connecting local internet providers to the global internet. Providers may install fiber optic cable, but excavations can be expensive.
https://www.gao.gov/products/gao-26-107734
MeriTalk: Bipartisan Senators Move to Revive USDA Middle-Mile Broadband Program
Jan. 21 — The Middle Mile for Rural America Act, introduced by Sens. Elissa Slotkin, D-Mich., and Cindy Hyde-Smith, R-Miss., would reauthorize USDA’s middle-mile infrastructure program for five years.
https://meritalk.com/articles/bipartisan-senators-move-to-revive-usda-middle-mile-broadband-program/
Houston Public Media: Texas Supreme Court to hear suit from over 50 cities saying telecom providers get illegal discounts
Jan. 21 — Dallas, Austin, San Antonio, Houston and El Paso are among more than 50 cities suing the State of Texas over two laws they say will result in millions in lost revenue from companies that provide cable and telecommunications services to their residents.
www.houstonpublicmedia.org/articles/court/2026/01/21/541172/texas-supreme-court-telecom-cable-providers-comcast-get-illegal-discounts-dallas-austin-san-antonio-houston/
Broadband Communities: US fiber coverage hits 60% as deployment costs creep higher
Jan. 20 — New data released today by the Fiber Broadband Association (FBA) suggests fiber optic networks continue to spread rapidly across the United States, even as the cost of deployment climbs.
WWW.bbcmag.com/us-fiber-coverage-hits-60-as-deployment-costs-creep-higher/
Telecompetitor: Local AI regulation enters into debate over reducing barriers to wireless infrastructure
Jan. 20 — The wireless industry has long complained that high regulatory fees, strict regulations on tower placement and aesthetics, and other rules imposed by state and local governments are needlessly delaying the spread of modern infrastructure, especially in rural areas. Now, the wireless industry claims, local regulations on artificial intelligence (AI) systems could be contributing to the problem.
www.telecompetitor.com/local-ai-regulation-enters-into-debate-over-reducing-barriers-to-wireless-infrastructure/
Broadband Breakfast: Fiber Broadband Report Notes Significant Progress on Fiber Deployment, Increased Costs
Jan. 20 — More than 60% of U.S. households now are serviceable by fiber. But 92% of respondents said costs have risen since 2024.
https://broadbandbreakfast.com/fiber-broadband-report-notes-significant-progress-on-fiber-deployment-increased-costs/
Reason: How the FCC Became the Speech Police
Jan. 18 — In 1964, journalist Fred J. Cook published Barry Goldwater: Extremist of the Right, a 186-page attack on the Republican candidate in that year’s presidential election. As economist Thomas W. Hazlett notes in his history of broadcast regulation, the Democratic National Committee (DNC) “arranged for Grove Press to publish the book,” which portrayed Goldwater as “so extreme that he cuts a positively ridiculous figure.” The general public bought 44,000 copies. The DNC bought 72,000.
https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/fcc-became-speech-police-110028276.html
The Daily Yonder: A Republican-sponsored bill would take back $21B appropriated for broadband deployment
Jan. 16 — A bill filed in late November would claw back $21 billion allocated to state governments to address the digital divide, marking another moment in the debate over expanding broadband internet access in rural America.
https://www.nbcrightnow.com/national/a-republican-sponsored-bill-would-take-back-21b-appropriated-for-broadband-deployment/article_a62012db-efbc-5a14-8618-8294440eaddf.html
Fierce Network: Senate bill wants satellite applications turned around in 1 year or less
Jan. 15 — The Senators said that the number of applications submitted to the FCC for satellites has dramatically increased, but outdated regulatory barriers are delaying the process. The SAT Streamlining Act establishes a clear, one-year deadline for the FCC to make a decision on an application.
https://www.fierce-network.com/broadband/senate-bill-wants-satellite-applications-turned-around-1-year-or-less
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Telecoms: FCC approves 7,500 new Starlink satellites
Jan. 12 — The Federal Communications Commission has given SpaceX the go-ahead to launch an additional 7,500 Starlink satellites, a move that will boost its service offering both inside and outside the US.
https://www.telecoms.com/satellite/fcc-approves-7-500-new-starlink-satellites
Business Insider Africa: Starlink blocked from South Africa, Musk says it’s because he is not black
Jan. 11 — Elon Musk said South Africa’s telecommunications ownership rules are preventing his satellite internet company, Starlink, from launching in the country, renewing debate over how Africa’s most industrialized economy balances transformation policy with foreign investment.
https://africa.businessinsider.com/local/lifestyle/starlink-blocked-from-south-africa-musk-says-its-because-he-is-not-black/tm86sv2
Information Age: New internet speed record hits 430Tbps over fibre
Jan. 20 — Telecommunications researchers continue to set new speed records, with a British-Japanese team recently breaking its own records by transmitting data at 430 terabits per second (Tbps) over a single internationally standard optical fibre – while also pushing optical satellite transmission links to 2Tbps.
https://ia.acs.org.au/article/2026/new-internet-speed-record-hits-430tbps-over-fibre.html
Benton Institute: Broadband Prices Increased in 2025
Jan. 11 — Broadband service offerings at the highest speeds are expensive, growing in prevalence, and driving up average broadband prices.
https://www.benton.org/headlines/broadband-prices-increased-2025
The Hill: Supreme Court will review FCC’s fines against AT&T, Verizon
Jan. 9 — The Supreme Court agreed Friday to decide whether the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) authority to issue massive fines violated AT&T’s and Verizon’s constitutional right to a jury trial.
https://thehill.com/regulation/court-battles/5682306-supreme-court-fcc-fines-att-verizon/
Light Reading: Cities, counties reject industry claims on broadband permitting
Jan. 7 — As industry groups made their wish lists for wireline permitting reform known to the FCC, organizations representing local governments filed comments opposing their requests and challenging the FCC’s authority to grant them.
https://www.lightreading.com/broadband/cities-counties-reject-industry-claims-on-broadband-permitting
Broadband Communities: What were fiber’s 2025 gains? Will we see 2026 acceleration?
Jan. 5 — In 2025, the fiber industry set another record for growth, hitting 11.8 million homes passed according to the latest FBA research conducted by RVA Market Research & Consulting. Total broadband passings have reached nearly 100 million homes in the United States when you include homes with more than one passing. Taking out the multiple-passings, there are 84.6 million unique addresses that have fiber.
https://bbcmag.com/what-were-fibers-2025-gains-will-we-see-2026-acceleration/
Broadband Communities: AT&T will move their headquarters out of Downtown Dallas
Jan. 6 — Dallas-based AT&T will be moving their headquarters to a new location in Plano. The news was revealed when a message to AT&T employees announced a new company headquarters will be under construction, at 5400 Legacy Drive.
www.bbcmag.com/att-will-move-their-headquarters-out-of-downtown-dallas/