FCC Chair Visits North Dakota Broadcasters, Drone Sector
Brendan Carr toured Fargo and Grand Forks alongside Sen. Kevin Cramer to review broadcasting and uncrewed aerial systems.
Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Telecommunications
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FCC Chairman Brendan Carr joined U.S. Sen. Kevin Cramer in North Dakota on Monday, holding a roundtable in Fargo with radio and television leaders. The pair then traveled to Grand Forks to review the state's uncrewed aerial systems industry.
Why it matters
Station managers voiced concern about losing advertising dollars to digital platforms such as Google and Facebook, while the FCC reviews decades-old ownership rules for local broadcasters. Cramer said building domestic drone components and secure communications networks is critical for national defense.
The FCC recently freed up 800 megahertz of spectrum to support drone operations, a band now available for uncrewed aerial systems. The source does not specify how much of that band has been assigned to users or the timeline for deployment.
The players
Brendan Carr
Brendan Carr is the Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, the U.S. agency that regulates broadcast, wireless, and telecommunications in the country.
Kevin Cramer
Kevin Cramer is a Republican United States Senator representing North Dakota, known for his focus on energy and defense policy.
Northrop Grumman
Northrop Grumman is a major American defense contractor that develops aerospace, drone, and defense systems for the U.S. military.
General Atomics
General Atomics is a defense contractor known for building uncrewed aerial systems, including the MQ-9 Reaper drone.
The details
During the Monday visit, Carr said the agency will take feedback from the discussions back to Washington. He also said automakers can use cost-effective shielding to prevent interference in electric vehicles, and the tour included meetings at Grand Forks Air Force Base and visits with defense contractors Northrop Grumman and General Atomics.
Timeline
Monday, November 2, 2026: Carr and Cramer held the Fargo roundtable and toured Grand Forks drone facilities.
Regulatory Context
The FCC's recent release of 800 megahertz of spectrum for drone operations signals a federal push to expand uncrewed aerial systems beyond defense use. Carr's North Dakota visit extends that policy into direct engagement with a state-level drone industry.
Drone operators in the region may gain access to new spectrum, which could affect the equipment they use and how they coordinate flights. Local radio and television listeners could see changes if the FCC's ownership-rule review leads to new station consolidation.
The takeaway
Changes to broadcast ownership rules and drone spectrum access are moving through federal channels, so local stakeholders should watch for FCC notices affecting their operations. Both regulatory shifts could reshape how media and drone businesses in the state compete.
Further reading
For more on the regulatory side of these changes, see Telecommunications coverage.
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