May 10, 2026 to May 16, 2026

This is Queen Street Analytics' weekly digest of regulatory developments, legislative discussions and other government-related news concerning ICT, cloud computing, digital infrastructure, social media platforms, digital privacy, AI, cybersecurity, blockchain, Web3 and cryptocurrencies. Once a week, we break down the most important updates in this space in under five minutes.

Want to track other GR news in adjacent industries? Don't miss this week's updates in Finance and Defence. Also consider subscribing to our ICT & Cybersecurity - Ottawa edition covering critical GR news north of the border.

📋 In This Week's Newsletter

• 🏛️ This Week's Congressional Calendar
• 🇺🇸 Federal Government News
• 📜 Legislative Updates
• 📚 What We're Reading This Week

This Week's Congressional Calendar

• State and Local Cybersecurity: Escalating Threats, Federal Partnership, and the Resilience of America’s Communities: House Homeland Security Subcommittee on Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Protection will hold a hearing on May 21 at Cannon House Office Building, covering escalating threats to state and local cybersecurity and the federal partnership in resilience.
• Research-Driven Resilience: Applying Science to Secure U.S. Water Systems from Cyber Threats: House Science, Space, and Technology Subcommittee on Environment is scheduled for a hearing May 21 in Rayburn House Office Building about scientific strategies to secure U.S. water systems from cyber threats.

Federal Government News

FCC Adopts Rules for Telecom Certification, Test Lab Transparency, and Enforcement

The FCC has issued its Second Report and Order and Order on Reconsideration for equipment authorization rules, including: fast-track priority review for devices tested in Trusted Test Labs, greater disclosure of employee location and lab ownership, revised post-market surveillance procedures, enhanced enforcement, and confidential violation reporting. The Commission is directing a consolidated list of prohibited entities, aligning ownership reporting timelines with SEC requirements, and requiring labs and TCBs to disclose foreign-based staff engaged in FCC-recognized testing. Grants Garmin’s petition for reconsideration on ownership reporting, shifting deadlines to 'actual knowledge' triggers for public companies. The new rules aim to reduce reliance on foreign labs, strengthen national security, and streamline screening. Estimated cost savings for expedited domestic and MRA applications could reach $770,000 annually. Effective date is June 15, 2026 except for sections subject to OMB review.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

FCC Proposes Rulemaking: Ceasing Recognition for Non-Reciprocal Territory Test Labs and TCBs

The FCC released a Second Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking seeking comment on eliminating recognition of test labs, TCBs, and lab accreditation bodies based in countries lacking mutual recognition agreements. The draft proposes a $20,000 fee for device testing in non-MRA countries, stricter data analytics, and new protections for intellectual property. Public comments on these proposals are open until June 15, 2026. FCC invites feedback on transition schedules, phased implementation, and enhanced market surveillance for applicants using non-reciprocal economy labs.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Continuation of the National Emergency With Respect to Securing the ICT Supply Chain

On May 11, 2026, the President extended the national emergency for securing the information and communications technology and services supply chain, originally declared in 2019 under Executive Order 13873. The extension will continue for one year, citing ongoing risks posed by unrestricted ICTS transactions involving foreign entities. The declaration remains in effect beyond May 15, 2026, under the National Emergencies Act.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

FCC Sunshine Act Meeting Scheduled for May 20, 2026

The FCC has scheduled an Open Commission Meeting for May 20, 2026 with agenda items covering: proposals to strengthen robocall authentication (KYUP requirements, attestation standards), streamlining Broadband Data Collection, modernizing the Disaster Information Reporting System for resilient networks, and comments on modernizing the High-Cost Program to ensure rural next-generation services. The proceedings will be webcast and press access is available.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

FCC Information Collections: Telecommunications Reporting Worksheets and Related Collections

The FCC seeks public comment on extension of annual and quarterly reporting requirements for contributors to universal service, relay, and numbering administration funds, using FCC Forms 499-A and 499-Q. Comments are due by June 15, 2026. The annual burden estimate is 250,850 hours from 8,000 respondents. Data support regulatory fees and compliance with sections 151, 225, 251, and 254 of the Communications Act.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Modernizing Spectrum Sharing for Satellite Broadband

The FCC has adopted a new spectrum-sharing framework for GSO and NGSO satellite systems in several GHz bands, eliminating EPFD limits and introducing new GSO protection criteria based on throughput degradation and link unavailability. NGSO systems must observe a minimum 3-degree avoidance angle. The rules encourage private coordination agreements, but technical backstops apply when negotiations fail. NGSO applicants must demonstrate compliance or certify coordination. The changes are expected to increase system capacity, reduce costs, and enable gigabit broadband from space. Estimated benefits range from $1.6 billion to $19.9 billion over five years.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

FCC Proposed Updates to Audible Crawl Rule for Emergency Information Accessibility

The FCC issued a Third Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, proposing that video providers may meet accessibility requirements for visual, non-textual emergency information by providing textual crawls conveyed aurally. If approved, this will codify a commonsense approach, replacing a decade-long technical waiver process for the Audible Crawl Rule. Comments are due by June 29, 2026.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program and Native Entities Grant Program Information Collection

NTIA has submitted an information collection request to OMB regarding the Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program (TBCP) and Native Entities Grant Program (NEGP). Up to 400 respondents are expected, with an average of 18 hours per response. The collection will support standardized review and evaluation for tribal broadband grant applications. Written comments are open for 30 days.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Prohibition on Contracting With Entities Using Certain Telecom and Video Surveillance Equipment: Information Collection Extension

The Office of Federal Procurement Policy, DoD, GSA, and NASA are inviting public comment on extending OMB clearance for regulations prohibiting contracting with entities using certain telecommunications and video surveillance equipment. Responses address whether offerors provide or use covered equipment or services and report mitigation actions as required under FAR sections 52.204-24, -25, and -26. Deadline for comment is July 13, 2026.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Information Collections Being Reviewed by the FCC: Construction Permits and NCE Applications

The FCC has requested public comments for extension and review of information collections for construction permits (FCC Form 301) and noncommercial educational station applications (FCC Form 2100, Schedule 340). The annual burden and cost estimates are published; comments are requested about utility and reduction of paperwork burdens.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov, www.federalregister.gov

Certain Integrated Circuits, Electronic Devices Containing the Same, and Components Thereof; USITC Investigation Terminated

The USITC determined not to review two initial determinations terminating Investigation No. 337-TA-1450 regarding patent infringement claims filed by Onesta IP, LLC. Settlement agreements led to the withdrawal of claims against NVIDIA, Qualcomm, OnePlus, and Nothing Technology Limited, with no remaining respondents as of May 11, 2026.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Certain Semiconductor Devices and Products Containing the Same; USITC Final Determination and Remedy Orders

USITC issued a limited exclusion order and cease and desist orders in Investigation No. 337-TA-1414, finding a violation of Section 337 regarding semiconductor device patents held by Infineon Technologies. The final determination included revised infringement analyses and bond requirements. The investigation is now terminated.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Legislative Updates

Rural Broadband Protection Act of 2025

S. 98, Rural Broadband Protection Act of 2025, became Public Law No: 119-89 on May 11, 2026. The law mandates the FCC to develop a vetting process for applicants seeking high-cost universal service program funds for broadband network deployment.

Sources: www.congress.gov

MAP for Broadband Funding Act

S. 2585, MAP for Broadband Funding Act, was placed on the Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders (Calendar No. 407). The bill relates to science, technology, and communications policy.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Connected Vehicle Security Act of 2026

H.R. 8730, Connected Vehicle Security Act of 2026, was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, as well as Committees on Ways and Means and Foreign Affairs. The bill concerns vehicle cybersecurity and awaits further committee action.

Sources: www.congress.gov

What We're Reading This Week

• Hackers pushing innovation in AI-enabled hacking operations, Google says: Google's report finds hackers are rapidly advancing use of AI-driven tools for cyber intrusions.
• Pentagon deploys Anthropic's Mythos to patch cyber gaps while planning to ditch firm: Pentagon utilizes Anthropic's Mythos to address cybersecurity gaps, but intends to transition away from the provider.
• How Iran’s Internet Blackout Is Crippling Its Economy, and the Fight Over Fruit-Flavored Vapes: Iran's government-imposed internet blackout is significantly impairing the nation's economic activity.
• Are data centers pushing grid costs onto consumers?: Industry analysts debate whether rising demand from data centers is increasing electricity grid costs for end-users.
• Opinion | The right response to the data center backlash: Editorial considers the main arguments by critics of large-scale data center development.
• A.I. and Humans Battle It Out in a Cybersecurity Showdown: Coverage details recent competitions pitting human and AI teams against each other in cyber defense exercises.
• Tech CEOs invited to US Capitol to testify about children's online safety: Lawmakers have called tech company executives to discuss online safety protections for children at an upcoming US Capitol hearing.

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