For our friends in the #USA from the #FCC: Comments Due:  May 4, 2026
Reply Comments Due: June 2, 2026

Body:
On February 18, 2026, the FCC adopted a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) on the Lifeline program. The FCC established the comment period on April 3, 2026.

The Lifeline program provides discounts on voice and broadband services for qualifying low-income Americans. This NPRM seeks comment on reforms in the Lifeline program to ensure that federal dollars go to eligible Americans, enhance program integrity, ensure that service providers are complying with the Commission’s rules and regulations, and streamline Lifeline rules.

As to accessibility, the FCC seeks comment on the following:
• To better inform possible changes to individual minimum service standards, have service providers explored options to: (1) support the need for increased usage allowances for Lifeline subscribers who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability and (2) rely on video connection for Video Relay Services and point-to-point calls and other bandwidth-intensive accessibility functions?
• Would ending support for voice-only services through the Lifeline program affect accessibility for certain individuals with disabilities?

Interested parties may file comments by accessing the FCC’s Electronic Comment Filing System at https://www.fcc.gov/ecfs/filings. All filings must reference WC Docket Nos. 11-42, 17-287, 09-197, 21-450, and 20-445. People with disabilities who need assistance to file comments online may request assistance by email to [email protected].

Link to the Lifeline NPRM:
https://www.fcc.gov/document/fcc-proposes-reforms-agencys-federal-lifeline-program

For general information about the Lifeline program visit: https://www.fcc.gov/lifeline-consumers. For additional information on this proceeding, please contact Eric Wu, Wireline Competition Bureau at (202) 418-1543 or [email protected]. Individuals who use videophones and are fluent in American Sign Language (ASL) may call the FCC’s ASL Consumer Support Line at (844) 432-2275 (videophone).

The FCC Is Cracking Down on Robo Callers Pretending to Be Your Bank

https://fed.brid.gy/r/https://cordcuttersnews.com/the-fcc-is-cracking-down-on-robo-callers-pretending-to-be-your-bank/

🖥️💥 Your router might be next … but not in the way you think. FCC cracks down on “potential spy gear.” Will your devices stay secure? Find out ⬇️ https://tinyurl.com/3bzvuu5u #FCC #DigitalSupplyChain #NationalSecurity #HomeNetwork #cybersecurity

The FCC Just Banned All Routers, So Build One with Linux!

https://tilvids.com/w/mayKfQYs8E7grbir5z337f

Sinclair Asks The FCC To End Free OTA TV on ABC, CBS, FOX, & NBC Unless You Upgrade to ATSC 3.0 & End Ownership Caps

https://fed.brid.gy/r/https://cordcuttersnews.com/sinclair-asks-the-fcc-to-end-free-ota-tv-on-abc-cbs-fox-nbc-unless-you-upgrade-to-atsc-3-0-end-ownership-caps/

Today, I picked up a GL.iNet Flint 3 router (model GL-BE9300). 🛜

I honestly wasn’t planning to buy a new router right now. Even though my TP-Link Archer AX6000 (Wi-Fi 6) was discontinued a few months ago, my plan was to hold out until Wi-Fi 8 next year.

And then… Donald Trump happened. 🤬

More specifically, the Trump regime ordered the FCC to outlaw routers not made in the USA — and as far as I know, there are currently no consumer routers manufactured in the U.S. 🇺🇸 That could mean a serious supply crunch is coming. I’ve also seen reports suggesting future U.S.-made routers may be required to include a “control chip” and FCC-approved firmware. 😡

That raises some real privacy concerns ⚠️ Because historically, regimes with strong centralized control tend to prioritize monitoring and restricting their citizens.

That said, the Flint 3 is an absolute beast 💪
It’s a tri-band (2.4 / 5 / 6 GHz) Wi-Fi 7 router with:

1× 2.5 Gbps WAN port
3× 2.5 Gbps LAN Ethernet ports
1× 2.5 Gbps WAN/LAN combo port (usable as either)
And it runs open-source firmware (OpenWrt) 🔓

In other words, this is about as high-end and flexible as it gets right now.

GL.iNet is based in Hong Kong, and the router is manufactured in China — which, to be fair, is where most routers have been made for the past decade or more (Linksys, Netgear, TP-Link, etc.). 🌍

All things considered, I do suspect we could see supply issues down the line… so this felt like a smart move. Especially to get ahead of any built-in spyware or potential hardware backdoors — thanks to “Uncle Sam” (U.S. Government).

#FCC #Router #WiFi #Network #Privacy #Security #OpenWRT

Desolate #FCC-Vorgabe: „Freedom Router“ für US-Verbraucher | c't Magazin https://www.heise.de/hintergrund/Desolate-FCC-Vorgabe-Freedom-Router-fuer-US-Verbraucher-11241349.html #FreedomRouter