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U.S. Senator Demands Telecom Firms Reveal Data Subpoena Details Linked to Jan. 6 Probe

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Republican Senator Marsha Blackburn has called on telecom giants AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile to disclose whether they received or challenged subpoenas for phone data belonging to eight U.S. senators, including herself, in connection with the Justice Department’s investigation into the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot.

The request follows the release of a 2023 document showing that the FBI obtained “toll records” — metadata including call times and durations — from lawmakers’ phones as part of Special Counsel Jack Smith’s probe into efforts by former President Donald Trump to overturn the 2020 election.

Verizon confirmed it complied with a valid grand jury subpoena and a court order to maintain confidentiality, saying it had “no knowledge of the investigation’s purpose.” Blackburn is pressing the companies to clarify whether the seized data came from lawmakers’ personal or official government devices.

Senator Bill Hagerty, another affected lawmaker, said he also demanded explanations from Verizon regarding his own phone records. The subpoenas reportedly covered calls made between January 4 and January 7, 2021.

The case stems from Smith’s now-dropped prosecution of Trump, which was suspended after his 2024 election victory. The Justice Department later cited its policy against indicting a sitting president, though Smith’s report stated the evidence gathered “would have been sufficient to convict.”

Federal Communications Commission Chair Brendan Carr said the agency would participate in efforts “to get to the bottom of what happened,” amid rising concerns about government access to lawmakers’ communications.

Comcast to cut jobs, streamline Xfinity unit in major reorganization

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Comcast is preparing to cut jobs at its largest business unit, which includes the Xfinity internet, mobile, and pay-TV services, as part of a restructuring to centralize operations and strengthen its broadband business, a source told Reuters.

Beginning in January, Comcast will eliminate a layer of management between its regional offices and corporate headquarters, meaning regional leaders will now report directly to a newly appointed executive overseeing national operations. While the company has not disclosed the number of roles affected, the restructuring is expected to reduce headcount.

In a memo to employees, Comcast said customer-facing teams, such as those in retail and customer service, will not be impacted. “This change is not a reflection of anyone’s contributions — it is about simplifying how we work so we can compete more effectively,” the memo stated.

The move continues Comcast’s long-term strategy of centralizing functions including marketing, legal, and finance. It has also standardized broadband pricing nationally and introduced new five-year price-lock plans to stem customer churn.

The cuts come as Comcast grapples with subscriber losses in its broadband business, facing mounting competition from wireless carriers such as AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon. The unit also oversees Sky, Comcast’s European brand, and remains central to the company’s connectivity strategy.

FCC to End EchoStar 5G Probe After $40 Billion in Spectrum Deals with SpaceX and AT&T

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The U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) will close its investigation into EchoStar’s 5G buildout obligations, following the company’s recent spectrum sales to SpaceX and AT&T worth a combined $40 billion.

FCC’s decision

  • FCC Chair Brendan Carr said in a letter to EchoStar Chair Charles Ergen that the agency would conclude EchoStar has met its 5G obligations.

  • Carr called the outcome a “potential game changer” for American consumers, freeing up spectrum and injecting new competition into the wireless market.

  • EchoStar’s Boost Mobile brand, which lost 2 million customers in recent years, had been seen as providing limited competitive pressure.

Spectrum sales

  • $17B deal with SpaceX: Enables Starlink Direct-to-Cell services with upgraded satellites.

  • $23B deal with AT&T: Provides AT&T with 50 MHz of nationwide mid- and low-band spectrum.

Background

  • EchoStar was under probe for slow 5G deployment and potential “warehousing” of spectrum.

  • SpaceX had previously pressed the FCC to review EchoStar’s holdings.

  • The FCC’s move confirms EchoStar’s exclusive rights to key spectrum blocks for ground and satellite use.

Political backdrop

  • In June, President Donald Trump encouraged EchoStar and the FCC to resolve disputes over its wireless spectrum licenses.

  • The transactions with SpaceX and AT&T still require final FCC approval.

Industry impact

Carr said the deals could reshape the wireless market:

“The status quo wasn’t working. We have a chance now to do something different … this is much more competitive.”