During a South Dakota speech at Vycor’s tower climber training center, Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chair Brendan Carr presented the Build America agenda, a wide-ranging infrastructure policy initiative. This six-part plan focuses on streamlining broadband deployment, expanding spectrum access, supporting satellite and space industry growth, reducing regulatory burdens, enhancing network security, and improving conditions for telecommunications workers.

“Our Build America agenda includes efforts to further streamline the many regulations that stand in the way of infrastructure projects,” Carr stated. The initiative emphasizes high-speed infrastructure for rural areas, advocating for FCC rule changes to ease deployment. Carr cited past Trump administration efforts, such as permitting reforms that facilitated early 5G deployment in Sioux Falls, as examples.

The FCC will soon vote on new rules to simplify the shift from copper networks to fiber and revise pole attachment regulations to decrease costs and accelerate broadband expansion. Regarding spectrum, Carr highlighted plans for AWS-3 band licensing and support for the FCC’s program to replace equipment from Huawei and ZTE. The commission aims to prioritize spectrum access for 5G and 6G technologies.

The Build America agenda also simplifies satellite licensing to strengthen U.S. space leadership. The FCC will address application backlogs and create more objective satellite constellation licensing standards. An ongoing regulatory overhaul, dubbed “Delete, Delete, Delete,” will remove outdated rules, including those governing telegraph services and phone booths. “The FCC, right now, still has rules on the books regulating telegraph service, rabbit ear broadcast TV receivers and phone booths. Starting next month, that will change,” Carr noted.

Carr’s agenda also includes national security and workforce development. The FCC will continue securing networks against foreign threats, particularly from China, while also praising improved industry wages and working conditions for telecom crews. The Build America initiative reflects field experiences from Carr's visits with tower workers and rural broadband users.

The event was hosted by the National Association of Information Telecommunications (NAIT) during its 30th anniversary.