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.

Dates: 2026-01-24 to 2026-01-30

📋 In This Week's Newsletter

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

This Week's Congressional Calendar

• Evaluating FirstNet: Performance, Accountability, and Reauthorization: The House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Communications and Technology will hold a hearing on FirstNet’s performance and reauthorization on February 4, 2026, at 3:15 p.m. ET in Rayburn 2123.
• House Oversight to Consider Federal Acquisition and Cybersecurity Bills: The House Oversight Committee will mark up bills including the Federal Acquisition Security Council Improvement Act, Modernizing Government Technology Reform Act, and the Cybersecurity Hiring Modernization Act on February 4, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. ET, Capitol HVC-210.
• Senate Commerce Reviews Broadband Funding Map Modernization and Space Licensing: The Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee meets February 3, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. ET in Russell 253 to consider S.2585 (Broadband Funding Map), S.3639 (satellite licensing), and related nominations.
• Senate EPW Committee Examines Cybersecurity for Water Infrastructure: The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee holds a hearing on cybersecurity challenges facing America's water infrastructure on February 4, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. ET in Dirksen 562.

Federal Government News

FCC Rescinds Outdated Rules to Accelerate Network Modernization

The Federal Communications Commission issued a Direct Final Rule to rescind outdated regulatory provisions across parts 2, 15, and 18 of its framework, with changes to take effect March 27, 2026, unless significant adverse comments are submitted by February 17. The targeted sections regulate obsolete technologies and are reserved following public notice. The FCC's process leverages the Administrative Procedure Act's allowance for direct final rulings but incorporates provisions for public feedback, providing channels for submission both electronically and on paper. The agency will report these revisions to Congress and the Government Accountability Office under the Congressional Review Act, aiming to cut unnecessary burdens and encourage network modernization.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

FCC Schedules Open Meeting to Address Unlicensed Operations and Foreign Ownership Rules

The FCC will convene an Open Commission Meeting on January 29, 2026, in Washington, DC. Key agenda items include expanding geofenced variable power unlicensed device operations in the 6 GHz band through a Fourth Report and Order, along with considering a Third Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to raise power limits and expand low-power indoor operation to cruise ships. The commission will also review a new attestation and disclosure framework for license holders concerning foreign adversary control, and clarify ownership rules for wireless and broadcasting licensees. Enhancements for Telecommunications Relay Services will be discussed via a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking. The session is accessible to the public via live webcast and subject to FCC security protocols.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

FCC Requests Comments on Information Collection for 700 MHz Licensees

The FCC is seeking input on information collection requirements for 700 MHz licensees under OMB Control Number 3060-1161. The collection covers construction notifications, interim reports, and documentation to demonstrate compliance with performance benchmarks across several license blocks. Respondents include 200 business entities with an estimated annual burden of 3,000 hours and $180,000 in costs. Certain deadlines and coverage obligations have been extended or waived due to technical issues. Written comments are due by March 30, 2026, focusing on the quality, necessity, and respondent burden of these requirements.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

NTIA Announces Virtual Listening Session on BEAD Savings

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration will hold a virtual listening session on February 11, 2026, to consider stakeholder input on use of Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) funds saved via the Trump Administration's Benefit of the Bargain reforms. The two-hour session requires pre-registration and will inform NTIA's planning for allowable uses of nondeployment funds. Access details are posted on NTIA’s BroadbandUSA portal, with accommodations arranged upon advance request.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

ITC Solicits Public Interest Submissions on Wireless Front-End Module Exclusion Orders

On January 29, the U.S. International Trade Commission published a request for submissions pertaining to public interest concerns on proposed exclusion orders for certain wireless front-end modules and devices, following an initial determination of a Section 337 violation involving companies in China and California. Stakeholders and agencies are invited to comment by February 24, 2026, on potential effects for public health, competitive conditions, domestic production, and consumer impacts. The investigation’s recommended orders may affect imports and direct competitive articles in the United States, and the ITC is gathering input for further record development.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

FCC Seeks Comment on Subscriber Carrier Verification Paperwork Extension

The FCC published notice of an information collection extension under OMB Control Number 3060-0787 regarding rules to prevent unauthorized telecommunications carrier changes by subscribers, in compliance with Section 258 of the Telecommunications Act of 1996. The extension applies to over 1,100 respondents, with an estimated annual burden of 8,692 hours and costs of $2.63 million. Comments regarding burden reduction, especially for small businesses, are due by February 27, 2026, via www.reginfo.gov.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

DOJ Confirms CableLabs Membership Update

The Department of Justice’s Antitrust Division published notice of membership changes for Cable Television Laboratories, Inc. under the National Cooperative Research and Production Act of 1993. Americable International, Inc. of Yokosuka, Japan was added, while NOWO Communications, S.A. of Lisbon, Portugal was removed. No other changes were made, and CableLabs will file updates as further changes occur. Cooperative research activities and membership remain open per federal law.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

NTIA Submits New Space Launch Frequency Coordination Portal Collection for Review

NTIA has submitted a new collection request to OMB related to its Space Launch Frequency Coordination Portal. The web tool supports spectrum availability for commercial space launches and houses data for interference analysis, with 15 respondents and a total burden of 1,000 hours. Public comments on this review are due within 30 days of publication, per Executive Order 12046 and other statutory authorities.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

What We're Reading This Week

• The Risks Behind the Expected $5.3 Trillion AI Data Center Funding Boom: WSJ examines projected risks for investors as the deployment of AI data centers is set to reach $5.3 trillion.
• Secret US cyber operations shielded 2024 election from foreign trolls, but now the Trump admin has gutted protections: CNN reports on the cyber defenses deployed to protect the 2024 US election and recent changes to security protocols.
• France halted Eutelsat's sale of ground antennas, Finance Minister says: Reuters reports France's Finance Minister confirmed blocking Eutelsat's plans to sell ground antennas.
• Finland hopes to prevent cable damage with new surveillance centre: Reuters details Finland’s launch of a surveillance center designed to minimize undersea cable disruptions.
• 5 cybersecurity trends to watch in 2026: Cybersecurity Dive lists key cybersecurity developments and expected sector challenges for 2026.
• IT teams aren’t equipped to stop rogue AI agents: Cybersecurity Dive discusses management and risks posed by rogue AI agents in managed service environments.
• NIST is rethinking its role in analyzing software vulnerabilities: Cybersecurity Dive covers NIST’s review of its central role in cataloguing and assessing software vulnerabilities.
• WIRED Magazine: Thousands of companies are driving China’s AI boom. A government registry tracks them all.

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