PANEL: Spectrum Access: What’s Next for Networks and Competition?

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Spectrum decisions shape where networks grow, how providers invest, and what services reach consumers. Fierce Network will lead a discussion on the spectrum pipeline, priority bands, auctions, and dynamic sharing, with a focus on access and the needs of rural and competitive providers. Panelists will explore the choices facing Congress, the FCC, and NTIA, and what those choices could mean for network deployment, business planning, and competition.

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PANEL: The Next Wave of Connectivity: Technology, Investment, and Opportunity

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How are emerging technologies and funding decisions changing the way communities get connected? This panel will explore satellite competition and direct-to-device (D2D) partnerships, alongside the expanding role of AI, data centers, and connected devices. Panelists will discuss the status of BEAD deployment and non-deployment funding, the role of broadband mapping, and the challenges of reaching rural communities. The conversation will connect these developments to practical questions about investment, partnerships, network resiliency, and competition.

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PANEL: Universal Service and the Future of Rural Connectivity

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What will it take to sustain reliable, widely available connectivity as networks and customer needs evolve? This panel will examine the future of the Universal Service Fund (USF), including litigation, reform prospects in the new Congress, and FCC actions. Panelists will explore how USF is funded, how support is allocated, what recipients are expected to deliver, and how universal service evolves in an all-IP environment. The discussion will connect these issues to investment decisions, ongoing operating costs, customer affordability, and the long-term sustainability of rural networks.