The UK Government is considering replacing the £180 annual BBC TV licence fee with an £11 monthly "Home Internet Levy" added to broadband bills, a proposal from the Social Market Foundation think-tank. The plan aims to fund public service broadcasters more sustainably but raises technical and implementation challenges, including concerns about forcing non-BBC viewers to pay and potential impacts on broadband adoption.
Cities and counties oppose an FCC proposal to override local broadband permitting rules, arguing it would undermine public safety protections and that ISPs themselves delay deployments. The FCC says local rules excessively delay approvals and increase costs, while local governments contend the plan is illegal and should instead address ISP anti-competitive tactics.