Carr: FCC Open to Ideas on Tentative Rural Subsidy Inquiry

WASHINGTON, May 1, 2026 – A potential federal inquiry into modernizing rural broadband subsidies will be longer term and open ended, the head of the Federal Communications Commission said Thursday

“These are legacy programs that haven’t had a fresh look in a long time, and maybe we maintain it exactly the way it is, maybe we increase support. It’s just teeing up a range of questions,” FCC Chairman Brendan Carr said at the agency’s press conference.

The FCC is set to vote at its May meeting on an inquiry seeking comment on how to move forward with three subsidies under its High Cost program umbrella that are set to sunset in 2026 or 2028. The High Cost program supports the construction and maintenance of rural broadband and telecom networks.

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