Broadband reaches communities only as fast as governments allow it to. Outdated permitting processes, slow approvals, inconsistent fees, and duplicative reviews across federal, state, and local jurisdictions add years and millions of dollars to broadband builds before a single foot of fiber is laid. Streamlining permitting is imperative if America is to ever realize our ambition for a truly connected nation.
Video | How Permitting Delays Broadband Expansion
Local officials indicate there’s no problem with permitting processes in their states. Meanwhile, here are three specific examples of ludicrous permitting requirements that cause delays – including requiring non-standard sized hard copies of a permit application in triplicate. 
Letter | Coalition Urges House to Advance American Broadband Deployment Act to Accelerate Nationwide Connectivity
In a letter to Speaker Mike Johnson and Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, a broad coalition of communications and infrastructure stakeholders emphasized that modern connectivity is essential to economic growth, global competitiveness, and the successful implementation of federal broadband investments.
Letters | USTelecom Urges Departments of Interior and Agriculture to Accelerate Broadband Deployment on Federal Lands
USTelecom urged Department of the Interior Secretary Doug Burgum and Department of Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins to implement recent White House guidance to federal agencies that would expedite broadband permitting on federal lands and help connect more Americans to fast, reliable internet service.
Issue Brief | Removing Barriers to Connecting Communities
With a historic investment of government and private sector funds in broadband on the horizon, Congress should move quickly to remove barriers to broadband deployment. All policies should be viewed through the lens of connecting communities—from expedited permitting to relief from legacy obligations to make way for network modernization and more.
Fact Sheet | USTelecom Urges Reform to Fix Broken Broadband Permitting System
USTelecom filed comments in the FCC’s Build America: Eliminating Barriers to Wireline Deployment proceeding, calling for reasonable, cost-based, and transparent standards that end the costly maze of state and local permitting rules holding back America’s broadband future.
Video | Agreeing with Chairman Carr’s Call to End Permitting Delays that “Cost Too Much and Take Too Long”
Testimony | The House Energy & Commerce Subcommittee on Communications & Technology Hearing on Streamlining Broadband Permitting
USTelecom President and CEO testified before Congress on the urgent need for real permitting reform. The message was clear: we must cut duplicative reviews, set firm timelines, and break through the gridlock with smart federal standards when impasses arise. America’s connectivity future depends on it.
Filing | Permitting Horror Stories
USTelecom sent a long list of permitting horror stories to the FCC as part of our ongoing effort to work with the Commission to streamline state and local permitting processes.
Podcast | Inside Influence
USTelecom President and CEO joined renowned political strategist David Castagnetti and Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Brody Mullins for their podcast Inside Influence, telling the amazing stories of USTelecom’s members and the future of connectivity, broadband’s role in the AI era, and the critical importance of your work connecting the connectors in today’s digital world.
Blog + Video | 2026: A Year for Transformational Connectivity in America
Read USTelecom President & CEO Jonathan Spalter’s blog how 2026 is shaping up to be a big year for our nation and for connectivity. 2026 is especially consequential. This is the year BEAD-funded broadband builds transition from policies on paper to shovels in the ground—when public and private investment begins building the foundation for real jobs and economic opportunity, powered by real broadband networks.
Event | 2025 USTelecom Broadband Investment Forum
America’s broadband providers invested $89.6 billion in U.S. communications infrastructure last year, making broadband among America’s most capital-intensive industries and a huge driver of jobs and economic growth. USTelecom’s Broadband Investment Forum shared ideas on how leaders in Washington and from across the broadband community can work together to turbocharge American connectivity and opportunity.
Op-ed | Shifting to a GSD Mindset on Broadband
USTelecom President and CEO published an op-ed in Agri-Pulse, arguing for unlocking BEAD funding, making USF more sustainable, desperately needed permitting reform, and the path to network modernization.
Op-Ed | Broadband Permitting Needs More Green Lights Less Red Tape
USTelecom published an op-ed in Fierce Network arguing that streamlined permitting rules are essential if we’re serious about closing the digital divide.