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.

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Dates: 2026-03-08 to 2026-03-14

📋 In This Week's Newsletter

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

This Week's Congressional Calendar

• Securing U.S. Leadership of Communications Technology — House Energy and Commerce: The House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Communications and Technology will hold a meeting focused on securing U.S. leadership of communications technology on March 18, 2026, at 6:00 PM in Rayburn House Office Building, Room 2123.
• World Radiocommunication Conference 2027 Strategy — Senate Commerce Subcommittee: The Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Subcommittee on Telecommunications and Media is set to conduct hearings examining WRC-27 strategy and challenges ahead of Shanghai on March 17, 2026, at 2:00 PM in Russell Senate Office Building, Room 253.
• PRC AI, Robotics, and Autonomous Technology Security Risks — House Homeland Security: The House Homeland Security Subcommittee on Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Protection will hold a hearing titled “DeepSeek and Unitree Robotics: Examining National Security Risks of PRC AI, Robotics, and Autonomous Technologies and Building a Secure U.S. Technology Base” on March 17, 2026, at 2:00 PM in Cannon House Office Building, Room 310.

Federal Government News

Ratepayer Protection Pledge Secures U.S. Data Center Infrastructure

President Donald J. Trump issued Proclamation 11014 establishing the Ratepayer Protection Pledge, signed by seven leading U.S. hyperscaler and AI companies. The pledge commits AI and cloud companies to cover the full cost of new power delivery infrastructure and energy for expanding data centers, without passing incremental electricity costs to consumers. Companies are required to negotiate new rate structures with utilities and pay for infrastructure whether utilized or not. These measures also include investing in local communities and working with grid operators to improve grid reliability. This federal policy is aimed at maintaining American leadership in advanced data center infrastructure and supporting national security while addressing affordability for U.S. households. The approach relies on direct negotiation between technology firms and state-level utilities for cost recovery.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

President Trump Announces Trillions in U.S. Tech Investment

According to official White House statements, President Trump's administration has facilitated trillions of dollars in new investments from major tech firms and foreign investors, focused on manufacturing, AI, cloud computing, and advanced chip production. Apple and Meta each committed $600 billion to manufacturing and AI infrastructure, while Softbank, OpenAI, and Oracle's Project Stargate pledged $500 billion for AI infrastructure. NVIDIA will invest $500 billion in AI supercomputers. Amazon's $340 billion investment in 2025 and additional $34 billion for cloud computing highlight continued growth in the sector. Micron Technology, IBM, TSMC, and pharmaceutical and energy firms announced investments ranging from $200 billion down to $1 billion in advanced technology and R&D. Foreign governments, including UAE, Qatar, Japan, Saudi Arabia, and others, pledged additional investment in U.S.-based infrastructure. These investments are creating thousands of jobs across data centers, chip manufacturing, and network infrastructure.

Sources: www.whitehouse.gov, www.whitehouse.gov

FCC Review of Information Collection for Universal Service Fund Contributors

The Federal Communications Commission has published a notice soliciting public comments on its review of information collection under the Paperwork Reduction Act. The review pertains to FCC Forms 499-A and 499-Q, which are required from contributors to the federal universal service fund, telecommunications relay service fund, and numbering administration. There are 8,000 respondents accounting for 40,300 responses annually, with a collective burden of 250,850 hours. The FCC seeks feedback on necessity, accuracy, burden reduction, and automated techniques, particularly for small businesses. The collected data supports regulatory fee calculations for interstate service providers.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

FCC Notice on Tariff Review Plan Extensions for Incumbent LECs

The FCC issued a notice on extension of the Tariff Review Plan (TRP), under OMB Control No. 3060-0400. Standardized TRPs are filed by incumbent local exchange carriers (ILECs) to support revisions to interstate access service tariffs. The process involves 2,747 respondents and 3,948 responses annually, with a total annual burden of 60,476 hours. The FCC seeks comment on paperwork reduction for small entities and regulatory compliance. Statutory authority is under sections 201, 202, 203, and 251(b)(5) of the Communications Act.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

FCC Launches Matching Program for Lifeline and Affordable Connectivity Eligibility

The FCC announced a new computer matching program with USAC and the Department of Housing and Urban Development, beginning April 13, 2026, to verify applicant and subscriber eligibility for Lifeline and Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). This 18-month program will use HUD’s Federal Public Housing Assistance data to confirm eligibility, targeting fraud reduction and service improvement. The FCC’s National Verifier system will match applicant data against HUD records, involving Social Security numbers, birth dates, and names. The program is authorized under 47 U.S.C. 1752 and 254.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Executive Order 14390: Federal Actions to Counter Cybercrime, Fraud, and Predatory Schemes

President Trump signed Executive Order 14390 to direct federal agencies to combat cybercrime, fraud, and predatory schemes targeting American citizens. The order mandates the review and improvement of operational, technical, diplomatic, and regulatory frameworks against transnational criminal organizations responsible for cyber-enabled crime. Agencies must submit an action plan to the President within 120 days and establish a new operational cell within the National Coordination Center to coordinate detection, disruption, and deterrence, including private sector involvement. The Attorney General is tasked with prioritizing prosecution of cyber-enabled fraud and recommending victim restoration programs within 90 days. The Secretary of State is instructed to engage foreign governments for enforcement action and apply consequences—such as sanctions or visa restrictions—against states tolerating predatory activity.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

FCC Review of Information Collection for 72-76 MHz Operational Fixed Stations

The FCC published a notice requesting comments on information collection requirements for FCC Form 1068A, used for 72-76 MHz Operational Fixed Stations. The collection involves 300 respondents completing the form in 30 minutes each, amounting to 150 hours annually. The form ensures applicants address interference issues affecting TV channels 4 or 5, assisting the FCC in compliance checking for frequency assignment under 47 CFR 90.257 and the Communications Act of 1934.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

FCC Data Collection for Confidential Data Access Security

The Bureau of Transportation Statistics at the Department of Transportation announced a comment period on its data security requirements for accessing confidential data. Under the Foundations for Evidence-Based Policymaking Act, approved applicants for restricted-use microdata must complete additional security agreements, including background checks and confidentiality training. The average respondent time to complete security agreements is estimated at 90 minutes, affecting five applications annually. This process is part of the Standard Application Process (SAP) managed by OMB and aligns with federal confidentiality, privacy, and evidence-building requirements.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

NTIA Public Wireless Supply Chain Innovation Fund: AI RAN Industry Listening Session

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) is holding a hybrid industry listening session March 23, 2026, in McLean, Virginia, and virtually, regarding the Public Wireless Supply Chain Innovation Fund. The session aims to gather industry input for future funding opportunities supporting U.S. leadership in telecommunications supply chains, wireless equipment standards, and AI-native telecommunications networks. Funded under the 2021 National Defense Authorization Act, the initiative targets 5G deployment, equipment compatibility, security, and network virtualization aligned with the Administration’s 2025 AI Action Plan and Executive Orders. Additional session details are available at www.ntia.gov/program/innovation-fund.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Copyright Royalty Board: New Rates and Terms for Digital Performance and Ephemeral Recordings

The Copyright Royalty Board published four final rules establishing royalty rates and terms for digital performances of sound recordings and ephemeral recordings. NSS V rules govern new subscription services bundled with cable or satellite TV, setting a monthly per-subscriber rate, periodic CPI adjustments, and a minimum annual fee of $100,000 per licensee. Web VI rules set royalty rates for commercial broadcasters, noncommercial educational webcasters, and public radio stations for the 2026-2030 period. Commercial broadcasters face rates starting at $0.0028 per performance in 2026, rising annually to $0.0032 by 2030, with minimum annual fees per channel; noncommercial educational webcasters pay annual minimum fees from $800 to $1,000 per channel. The rules detail reporting requirements, auditing provisions, and allocation of royalties between performance and ephemeral recording. Public radio stations' fees are consolidated through the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and tied to aggregate tuning hours. All regulations take effect March 10, 2026, for license periods extending through December 31, 2030.

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

What We're Reading This Week

• Canada Takes Its Sovereignty Push to Space: Canada seeks greater control over satellite networks for defense and sovereignty.
• A data center opened next door. Then came the high-pitched whine.: Expansion of AI-driven data centers raises local concerns over noise and electricity demand.
• Iran Expands War With Major Cyberattack Against U.S. Company: A suspected Iranian state-linked attack hits Stryker, a U.S. medtech supplier.
• Governor Abbott Directs State Health Agencies to Address Potential CCP-Connected Cybersecurity Risks: Texas governor initiates review of Chinese-manufactured health devices for cybersecurity vulnerabilities.

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