Openreach has constructed a digital twin of the UK's transportation corridors, integrating data for 35 million homes and businesses with national road, rail and waterway networks and its existing fibre infrastructure.
The goal of the new USTelecom program is to show consumers, businesses, civic leaders, and policymakers why maintaining legacy copper for the small portion of end users is not an efficient approach. A key part of this is explaining why modern technology is better.
A 40% reduction in USF support would mean that broadband operators couldn't continue operations on existing networks, threatening the long-term viability of broadband access in rural areas. About half of the cost of network operating expenses are due to labor costs, which rise faster than inflation in rural areas.
It will look to assess the impact of factors affecting investment in high-quality connectivity by 2030, identify actions to support the sector to achieve government objectives over the next decade, and assess how the regulatory framework can be improved to support investment, innovation and competition. As part of this, the government is announcing an action plan based on four key principles: drive investment in comprehensive, high-quality connectivity by 2030; deliver for consumers; support innovation and growth across the economy; and provide secure and resilient connectivity.
The FCC approval enables SpaceX to add 7,500 Gen2 Starlink satellites to orbit, doubling its current number and bringing its total network to 15,000 satellites. According to the FCC, the additional satellites will enable SpaceX to better provide low-latency, high-speed internet communications across the globe. The FCC approval should enable SpaceX to leverage its recently announced speed increases, which were announced on the social media platform X late last year. "Significant improvements in @starlink network performance in 2025, with median peak-hour network-wide speeds increasing by over 50%," Starlink Vice President of Engineering Michael Nicolls said in a tweet.