Virginia Hiner Antypas at Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP

Autonomous Akin Newsletter - February 2026

December and January saw many regulatory developments impacting advanced aviation and uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS). As an initial matter, DJI drones landed on the U.S. Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) Covered List...more

3/3/2026 / Aviation Industry , Beyond Visual Line Of Sight (BVLOS) , Driverless Cars , Drones , Exemptions , FCC , Regulatory Oversight , Unmanned Aircraft Systems

FCC Adopts Expansive New Foreign Adversary Reporting Requirements in Latest Order

The Foreign Adversary Report and Order (Foreign Adversary R&O) aims to increase transparency of foreign adversary ownership in Commission regulatees and enhance the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC or Commission)...more

2/23/2026 / Compliance , Disclosure Requirements , FCC , Foreign Adversaries , Foreign Investment , National Security , Regulatory Oversight , Reporting Requirements , Rulemaking Process , Telecommunications

New FCC Rules Codify Foreign Ownership Requirements for Section 310(b) Licensees

Pursuant to Section 310(b)(4) of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, foreign entities are prohibited from holding more than an indirect 25% equity or voting interest in a U.S.-organized entity that controls a Federal...more

2/20/2026 / Broadcasting , Disclosure Requirements , FCC , Foreign Investment , New Regulations , Regulatory Requirements , Reporting Requirements , Rulemaking Process , Telecommunications

FCC Announces Tentative Agenda for February 2026 Meeting

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC or Commission) announced that it will hold its February Open Meeting on Wednesday, February 18 at 10:30 a.m. ET. Details on the four items expected to be considered at the Open...more

2/6/2026 / Broadcasting , FCC , Lifeline Program , Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NOPR) , Public Notice , Regulatory Agenda , Rulemaking Process , Spectrum , Telecommunications , Wireless Technology

FCC Announces a ‘Waiver of Prohibitions’ on Certain Permissive Changes to Covered UAS and UAS Critical Components

As explained in greater detail in a previous alert, on December 22, 2025, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) added to the Covered List all foreign-produced uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS) and UAS critical components,...more

2/4/2026 / Department of Defense (DOD) , Department of Homeland Security (DHS) , FCC , New Guidance , Regulatory Requirements , Telecommunications , Unmanned Aircraft Systems , Waivers

FCC Excludes Certain Foreign-Produced UAS and UAS Critical Components from Covered List and Provides Guidance for DoD and DHS...

As explained in greater detail in our December 24th alert, the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau (PSHSB) announced on December 22, 2025, the additions of (1) all...more

1/16/2026 / Defense Sector , Department of Defense (DOD) , Department of Homeland Security (DHS) , Drones , FCC , National Security , New Guidance , Regulatory Requirements , Supply Chain , Telecommunications

FCC Announces Tentative Agenda for January 2026 Open Meeting

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is off to a busy start for the new year, with FCC Chairman Brendan Carr releasing a tentative agenda on January 8 for the Commission’s January Open Meeting, which is scheduled to...more

1/13/2026 / FCC , Final Rules , National Security , NPRM , Proposed Rules , Reporting Requirements , Rulemaking Process , Telecommunications , Transparency , Wireless Industry

FCC Adds All Foreign-Made UAS and UAS Critical Components to Covered List

The FCC’s Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau (PSHSB) announced on December 22, 2025, significant additions to the FCC’s Covered List, including all foreign-produced uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS) and UAS critical...more

12/26/2025 / Cybersecurity , Department of Defense (DOD) , Department of Homeland Security (DHS) , Drones , FCC , Imports , National Security , Regulatory Requirements , Supply Chain , Telecommunications

FCC Announces Tentative Agenda for November 2025 Open Meeting

Following a busy October agenda at the Federal Communications Commission (FCC or Commission) and despite the continuing government shutdown that has halted some of the FCC’s operations, FCC Chairman Brendan Carr released a...more

11/3/2025 / Cybersecurity , FCC , Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NOPR) , Proposed Rules , Regulatory Agenda , Regulatory Reform , Telecommunications

FCC Announces Tentative ‘Space Month’ Agenda for October 2025 Open Meeting

Despite the ongoing government shutdown and the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) cessation of most of its operations, on October 7, the FCC Chairman Brendan Carr released an ambitious and expansive tentative agenda...more

10/13/2025 / Broadcasting , FCC , National Security , Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NOPR) , Outer Space , Regulatory Agenda , Regulatory Reform , Rulemaking Process , Telecommunications

FCC Announces Tentative Agenda for September 2025 Open Meeting

On September 9th, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC or the Commission) released a tentative agenda for its September Open Meeting, which is scheduled to take place on Tuesday, September 30, at 10:30 a.m. ET. The...more

9/12/2025 / FCC , Infrastructure , Notice of Inquiry , Proposed Rules , Public Meetings , Regulatory Agenda , Rulemaking Process , Telecommunications , Wireless Technology

Sixth Circuit Upholds FCC’s 2024 Breach Notification Rules

Telecommunications carriers must continue to adhere to a 2024 Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Order that substantially broadened carriers’ breach notification obligations, requiring that they disclose breaches of any...more

8/26/2025 / Appeals , Breach Notification Rule , Data Breach , Data Privacy , FCC , Personally Identifiable Information , Regulatory Authority , Reporting Requirements , Statutory Interpretation , Telecommunications

FCC Chairman Outlines Proposals in Support of Build America Agenda

Chairman Carr delivered a speech in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, on July 2 titled “A Build Agenda for America” in which he laid out the FCC’s priorities for the remainder of President Donald Trump’s term. In citing to what he...more

7/7/2025 / Deregulation , FCC , Infrastructure , National Security , Regulatory Agenda , Regulatory Reform , Telecommunications , Trump Administration , Wireless Industry

President Trump Issues Executive Orders to Boost Domestic Drone Industry and Enhance Airspace Security

President Donald J. Trump has taken action to bolster the American drone industry and safeguard U.S. airspace with the signing of two critical executive orders. Entitled “Unleashing American Drone Dominance” and “Restoring...more

6/26/2025 / Drones , Executive Orders , Government Agencies , Innovative Technology , National Security , Regulatory Reform , Supply Chain , Technology Sector , Trump Administration

FCC Announces Comment Deadlines for the Foreign Ownership NPRM

On Monday, June 23, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) issued a public notice announcing comment and reply comment deadlines for the Identifying Foreign Adversary Ownership Stakes Notice of Proposed Rulemaking...more

6/26/2025 / China , Disclosure Requirements , FCC , Filing Deadlines , Foreign Adversaries , Foreign Ownership , National Security , Russia , Telecommunications

In New Executive Orders, President Trump Emphasizes American Drone Dominance

On June 6, President Donald J. Trump issued two executive orders addressing the capabilities of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS or drones). The first, titled “Unleashing American Drone Dominance,” directs agencies to...more

6/25/2025 / Aviation Industry , Drones , Executive Orders , Export Controls , Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) , National Security , Regulatory Reform , Supply Chain , Trump Administration

FCC Announces Tentative Agenda for June 2025 Open Meeting and Senate to Vote on Olivia Trusty’s Nomination

On June 5, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) released a tentative agenda for its next Open Meeting, which is scheduled to take place on Thursday, June 26 at 10:30 AM ET. This release occurred a day before...more

6/17/2025 / Deregulation , Executive Orders , FCC , Proposed Legislation , Proposed Rules , Regulatory Agenda , Regulatory Reform , Rulemaking Process , Telecommunications , Trump Administration

Key Takeaways From Commerce Department’s New Guidance for $42.5 Billion BEAD Program

On June 6, 2025, the Commerce Department released its long-awaited guidance for future implementation of the $42.5 billion Broadand, Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) program. Entitled a BEAD Restructuring Policy Notice...more

6/10/2025 / Broadband , Federal Funding , Filing Deadlines , New Guidance , Opt-In , Regulatory Reform , Restructuring , State and Local Government , Technology Sector , Telecommunications

FCC Initiates Proceeding To Identify Foreign Adversary Ownership in All Commission Licenses and Authorizations

On May 22, 2025, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC or Commission) unanimously voted to adopt a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) that proposes to require entities holding FCC licenses, authorizations and approvals...more

6/4/2025 / Disclosure Requirements , FCC , Foreign Adversaries , Foreign Ownership , Government Agencies , National Security , Proposed Rules , Reporting Requirements , Telecommunications

FCC Voted To Adopt New Items on Foreign Ownership Requirements and Spectrum Use in the 12.7 GHz and 42 GHz bands at Its May 22...

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) held its May Open Meeting on Thursday, May 22, during which it voted to adopt three items: (1) a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) that proposes to require holders of certain...more

6/4/2025 / China , FCC , Foreign Investment , Foreign Ownership , National Security , Proposed Rules , Regulatory Oversight , Russia , Spectrum , Telecommunications

President Trump Declares End of $2.75 Billion Digital Equity Act Programs

On May 8, 2025, President Donald Trump declared in a post on his Truth Social platform that the Digital Equity Act was unconstitutional and that he would be ending the "Digital Equity Program" immediately. The President...more

5/14/2025 / Constitutional Challenges , Donald Trump , Executive Orders , Federal Funding , Government Agencies , Lobbying , New Legislation , NTIA , Social Equity Programs

Takeaways From Final Proposal Deadline Extension in $42.5 Billion BEAD Program

On April 22, 2025, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) issued a Notice of Programmatic Waiver (Waiver Notice) providing a 90-day extension of the Final Proposal deadline in the Broadband...more

5/9/2025 / Broadband , Federal Funding , Filing Deadlines , Government Agencies , Infrastructure , New Guidance , Regulatory Reform , State and Local Government , Telecommunications , U.S. Commerce Department

Trusty Confirmation Hearing at the Senate Commerce Committee Focuses on Broadband, Auction Authority and National Security

Olivia Trusty, nominee for the open Republican Federal Communications Commission (FCC or Commission) Commissioner position, appeared before the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Trusty has...more

4/14/2025 / Broadband , Cybersecurity , FCC , National Security , Regulatory Agenda , Robocalling , Senate Confirmation Hearings , Telecommunications , Universal Service Fund

Senate Commerce Committee Focuses on Broadband, Auction Authority and National Security at Trusty Confirmation Hearing