What a year it’s been! Thanks to the unwavering commitment of America’s Communications Association (ACA Connects) members, 2025 was filled with moments that moved our industry forward.
Together, we helped ensure America’s independent operators are better positioned to invest in their networks, advance rural connectivity, and build a brighter future. Check it out!
Imagining the Possibilities at the 2025 ACA Connects Summit
Cablefax put it best about Summit 2025, “Many are still trying to find their feet with how fast the new administration has been moving, but ACA Connects and its members were steadfast in their advocacy as they took to the nation’s capital for this year’s Summit.”
Don’t miss your chance to be part of the action next year! Visit ACAConnects.org/Summit to join us March 3-5 in Washington, D.C.
ACA Connects at the Witness Table
When Congress needed an expert voice on rural broadband, ACA Connects President and CEO Grant Spellmeyer delivered. His testimony underscored the leadership of independent providers—and helped him earn recognition as a Top Lobbyist.
Going for the Gold at The Independent Show
Our A-TEAM of top legal, regulatory, and political experts took to the stage at The Independent Show (TIS) in Salt Lake City. They presented a gameplan for hundreds of independent broadband providers to win in the regulatory arena and go for the gold.
Three Jam-Packed Issues of Independent Communications News
Looking for more top moments and news from the year? Our flagship publication, ICN, captured the stories that defined 2025. Every issue was packed with content to keep readers informed and inspired.
Visit acaconnects.org/ICN to browse all three editions featuring articles from the ACA Connects team, vendor partners, and leading experts.
Major Regulatory Wins
From the FCC to Capitol Hill and to the courts, ACA Connects’ advocacy and strategic partnerships delivered real results—removing barriers, protecting investments, and driving smarter regulations. Key regulatory wins and ongoing opportunities include:
- The previous administration’s unwarranted net neutrality rules were overturned.
- Chairman Brendan Carr protected bulk billing arrangements, a win-win for customers and broadband providers.
- The FCC issued a permanent fix to the burdensome professional engineering certification requirement.
- ACA Connects members are on track to receive hundreds of millions of dollars in BEAD funding to connect unserved households in rural America.
- NTIA is protecting broadband investments in the states and holding the line against rate regulations.
- The FCC is actively working to lift permitting burdens, streamline the pole attachment process, fix broadband labels, and delete outdated and costly regulations.
- The Eighth Circuit court vacated the unlawful and far-reaching Click-to-Cancel rule.
- The Energy and Commerce Committee advanced several permitting bills to speed up broadband deployments.
Caring for the Community
America’s independent broadband providers go above and beyond to serve their communities! Congratulations again to LFT Fiber, the 2025 ACA Connects Community Champion.
Gearing up for 2026
Three cheers for ACA Connects members who made 2025 one for the books.
We’re ready to hit the ground running in 2026. Stay tuned for updates in the weeks and months ahead regarding top priorities including permitting reform, streamlining broadband labels, ensuring members are protected in the C-band auction, USF reform, and much more.
Help us keep the momentum going by joining us March 3-5, 2026, for the ACA Connects Summit in Washington, D.C. See you there!