What They Are Saying: Stakeholders Applaud 
Streamlined Permitting for Wireline Infrastructure
FCC to Vote on Thursday to Streamline High-Speed Wireline Deployment
   
WASHINGTON, June 24, 2026—Tomorrow, the Federal Communications Commission will vote on new rules to ensure consistent, reasonable state and local regulations for the deployment of modern, high-speed wireline infrastructure.  This rulemaking aims to cut red tape and excessive fees imposed by some state and local governments in the public rights-of-way for wireline deployments.

What they are saying:

ACA Connects: “We’re thankful to the FCC for its continued efforts on permitting and other reforms that will accelerate wireline telecommunications and broadband deployment. By lifting unnecessary delays, excessive fees, and unreasonable requirements like rate regulation, the FCC has an historic opportunity to give providers the certainty they need to build their networks and plan long-term investments. As it moves forward, ACA Connects will continue to work collaboratively with the FCC to ensure reforms help independent providers deliver reliable high-speed connectivity to communities that depend on it.” Grant Spellmeyer, President and CEO

AT&T: “Speeding permitting timelines and reducing excessive fees will help remove unnecessary hurdles that can delay or even prevent broadband deployments. We appreciate the FCC’s focus on addressing these barriers, and we look forward to working with the Commission to advance changes that will remove obstacles to timely broadband deployment for communities across the country.” Rhonda Johnson, Executive Vice President, Federal Regulatory Relations

Breezeline: “Breezeline applauds the Commission's commitment to accelerating high-speed network deployment through this Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on wireline permitting. By tackling persistent regulatory and cost barriers at the state and local levels, the Commission's common sense proposals will catalyze increased investment in critical communications infrastructure. We look forward to working with the Commission to help adopt these important reforms.” Paul Beaudry, Vice President, Regulatory and Corporate Affairs

Charter Communications: “As the nation’s leading rural broadband provider, Charter appreciates the FCC’s efforts to reduce barriers that slow broadband deployment.” Catherine Bohigian, Executive Vice President, Chief Government Affairs & Public Policy Officer

Comcast: “Connecting all Americans to world-class broadband is vital to our nation's continued progress. This FCC action is important to speeding up network expansion, and we welcome these steps to reduce barriers to broadband deployment.”

Digital First Project: “The latest FCC’s action is a commonsense step toward making broadband deployment faster, more predictable, and more accountable. For too long permit applications have languished in limbo for months while families, small businesses, schools, and public safety users wait for better connectivity. A clear 120-day shot clock preserves legitimate local review while ensuring that red tape, excessive fees, and shifting requirements do not become a backdoor veto on modern wireline infrastructure. Once again, Chairman Brendan Carr is putting Americans first by advancing a practical reform that will help crews build the networks we need.” Nathan Leamer, Executive Director

Fiber Broadband Association: “The Fiber Broadband Association welcomes Chairman Carr’s focus on permitting modernization and the Commission’s efforts to examine barriers that can delay broadband deployment. As demand for high-capacity broadband infrastructure continues to grow, efficient and predictable permitting processes are increasingly important to supporting network investment and expansion. 

“Permitting challenges—including lengthy review timelines, excessive fees, and inconsistent requirements across jurisdictions—can increase costs and slow the deployment of critical communications infrastructure. This effort can play an important role in promoting greater transparency, consistency, and accountability. We look forward to engaging constructively in this proceeding to help advance policies that support timely broadband deployment and expanded connectivity for communities across the country.” Gary Bolton, President & CEO

Foundation for American Innovation: “We are pleased to see the Commission build on last year's effort to break down permitting barriers to rapid and effective deployment of broadband. We've known for decades that many states and localities have introduced unnecessary regulatory delays and fees for required authorizations. This move by the Commission to, among other things, establish shot clocks and eliminate duplicative requirements for commingled facilities means that more Americans will be able to get access to better internet services sooner and cheaper. We applaud Chairman Carr and the wonderful staff at the FCC for undertaking these long overdue reforms.” Joshua Levine, Director of Technology and Statecraft

INCOMPAS: “INCOMPAS applauds Chairman Carr and the Commission for taking this crucial next step toward modernizing the permitting process for wireline broadband deployment. Removing the barriers that delay network construction and drive-up costs is essential to closing the digital divide. It will enable competitive providers to build the next generation of broadband and AI infrastructure Americans need. We look forward to working with the Commission to craft rules that accelerate deployment, lower costs, and expand access for all Americans.” Christopher L. Shipley, Executive Director of Public Policy

The James Madison Institute: “Red tape has held back broadband buildout for too long, and Florida has felt it. Outdated permitting rules that delay and disincentivize investment don't just slow providers down; they leave families and businesses without the connectivity they need to thrive in the twenty-first century. The FCC's move to cut these permitting barriers is long overdue. By getting government out of the way, the Commission has sent a clear signal: build, invest, and deliver.” Edward Longe, Director of National Strategy and the Center for Technology and Innovation

Lumen Technologies: “Lumen technologies applauds Chairman Carr’s leadership in modernizing a permitting process that has too often slowed the deployment of critical infrastructure. By establishing streamlined approvals, clear timelines, and predictable, cost-based fees, these reforms will unlock investment in American infrastructure and accelerate the buildout of next-generation fiber networks.” Melissa Mann, Chief Public Policy Officer

Mackinac Center for Public Policy: “Gaining access to rights-of-way and local permitting are significant barriers to getting broadband deployment. Delays, excessive and unpredictable fees, along with the wide range of local requirements impose unnecessary costs on deployment, and have resulted in providers abandoning projects to serve communities… We encourage the FCC to move forward with the proposed rule as an important step in promoting faster deployment of internet infrastructure to reach more Americans.” 

Multicultural Media, Telecom and Internet Council: “Ensuring affordable broadband connectivity is a critical and urgent civil rights challenge.  MMTC therefore applauds the FCC for proposing measures to combat regulatory delays and fees that obstruct the network investment and marketplace competition necessary to connect more communities to broadband options.” Robert E. Branson, President and CEO

NATE: The Communications Infrastructure Contractors Association: “NATE applauds Chairman Carr and the Commission for placing permitting reform on the agenda and advancing this issue to the public record. Our member companies build the physical networks that communities depend on, and they regularly encounter permit applications that sit unreviewed for months–adding cost and project delay with no corresponding public benefit. A 120-day shot clock gives permitting agencies a clear, workable deadline and creates accountability where there is currently none. NATE looks forward to filing comments to help the Commission craft a rule that accelerates infrastructure deployment and brings connectivity to more Americans.” Todd Schlekeway, President & CEO

NCTA – The Internet & Television Association: “We applaud Chairman Carr’s commitment to removing barriers that have stifled broadband deployment for too long. With this Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, the Commission can take a critical step to accelerate the deployment of high-speed, modern networks for the benefit of Americans nationwide. We look forward to the Commission adopting the Notice and advancing these important issues.”

NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association: “NTCA and its rural broadband provider members thank Chairman Carr for his relentless focus on removing barriers to broadband deployment. Consumers, especially those in small and rural communities, will reap the benefits as advanced networks can be upgraded more quickly thanks to the reforms contemplated by this proceeding. 
 
“NTCA has consistently advocated for permitting reform that balances the need for efficient deployment with the need for state and local governments to reasonably manage construction activities within their jurisdictions. This proceeding would set up the conditions to strike such an effective balance going forward, and NTCA looks forward to the adoption of final rules that will promote rural broadband deployment without excessive delay or cost.” Mike Romano, Chief Executive Officer 

The Pelican Institute: “We commend the FCC for taking steps to reign in burdensome regulations that too often slow infrastructure investment and delay better connectivity for Louisianans. Establishing clearer more predictable permitting framework is a practical reform that can help spur private investment, speed broadband deployment, and expand access to reliable service for Louisianans across the state.” Daniel Erspamer, President

T-Mobile: “T-Mobile applauds Chairman Carr and the FCC for removing barriers that delay broadband deployment and increase costs for providers and consumers alike. Long permitting delays, excessive fees, and other unnecessary obstacles slow investment in next-generation networks. The Commission's leadership on solving problems like these will increase Americans' access and lower costs.” Will Adams, Vice President, Policy Strategy & Federal Regulatory Affairs

Texas Association of Business: “Smarter permitting can deliver broadband networks to more people in less time, which is essential to connecting businesses large and small to the national and global marketplace. These common-sense reforms will help drive job creation, opportunity,
and economic growth. Chairman Carr and the FCC are right to focus on Section 253 and permitting reform to address obstacles and help deliver better connections for Texans, their businesses, and communities across the nation.” Gabriela von zur Muehlen, Chief Policy Officer 

Texas Broadband Coalition: “We appreciate Chairman Carr and the FCC moving forward with this rulemaking and taking steps to cut red tape and bring speed and efficiency to critical infrastructure projects. Texas is the fastest growing state in the union, so focusing on Section 253 and permitting reform is essential to drive network investment and deliver broadband to our ever-growing population.” Cristina O’Jibway, Counsel

Texas Conservative Coalition Research Institute: “Chairman Carr’s leadership on this rulemaking reflects an important commitment to removing unnecessary barriers to broadband deployment. Modernizing the permitting process under Section 253 will help ensure consumers get access to reliable wireline broadband as quickly as possible.”

US Chamber of Commerce: “We applaud Chairman Carr and the FCC’s leadership to eliminate barriers to broadband deployment. Requiring localities give wireline providers timely answers to permit applications and standardizing application fees will be necessary to ensure all Americans are connected to modern communications networks. We look forward to working with the Commission to achieve the goal of quick broadband buildout.” Jordan Crenshaw, Senior Vice President, C_TEC, U.S. Chamber of Commerce

USTelecom Association: “Kudos to Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr for slicing through red tape! Less bureaucracy means lower deployment costs and faster high-speed internet roll outs. Let’s Build America at the speed of gigabits – not government forms.” Jonathan Spalter, President and CEO

Verizon: “Verizon strongly supports Chairman Carr’s proposed reforms to aggressively tackle persistent barriers to broadband deployment. The FCC’s streamlining efforts reflect smart policies that will accelerate the deployment of next-generation fiber networks by removing long-standing roadblocks posed by slow-moving and burdensome local permitting processes. By establishing clear and common-sense guardrails, such as a strict 120-day ‘shot clock,’ and capping excessive permitting fees, the FCC will unlock massive private investment and accelerate consumer’s access to modern fiber broadband networks. This will be a huge win for American consumers and for the strength and competitiveness of the American economy.” Kathy Grillo, Senior Vice President, Public Policy & Government Affairs

Wireless Infrastructure Association: “The Commission is poised to take an important step advancing its Build America Agenda through its Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to eliminate barriers to wireline deployments.  Establishing common-sense rules of the road for these critical deployments will ensure equitable and cost-effective access to Rights of Ways to facilitate the deployment of next-generation communications systems. Wireline services serve as a backbone for wireless connectivity. Importantly, this item supports predictable, proportionate, and transparent permitting procedures that would foster our nation’s wireline and wireless connected future.” Patrick Halley, President and CEO

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