Why It Matters

Lumen Technologies Inc. disclosed $740,000 in lobbying spending for the second quarter of 2026, targeting policies around data center connectivity for artificial intelligence, broadband infrastructure permitting, and cybersecurity. The filing shows the telecommunications giant is pursuing legislative and regulatory changes on multiple fronts as Congress and the FCC grapple with network modernization and infrastructure expansion. The company is actively lobbying on HR 2784, the Stopping the Theft and Destruction of Broadband Act, alongside broader efforts to reshape federal and state permitting requirements for connectivity infrastructure. Lumen is also focused on FCC implementation of the Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Program and reforms to voice service discontinuance policies.

The Lobbying Team

Three senior government affairs officials are leading Lumen's congressional efforts, namely Robin Burns and Emily Hytha, both senior directors of government affairs, and Brian Adkins, vice president of government affairs.

Adkins brings extensive telecom regulatory experience. He previously worked as legislative counsel for former Rep. Jane Harman and served as vice president of government affairs for Embarq Management Co., where he focused on universal service reform, broadband infrastructure, and VoIP regulations.

Hytha has deeper Hill experience, having served as a congressional staffer for almost 16 years across eight consecutive congresses. She held staff positions with multiple Republican representatives and served as communications director for former Rep. K. Michael Conaway and former Sen. Cory Gardner, as well as for the House Agriculture Committee. Most recently, she was chief of staff for Rep. Michelle Fischbach in the current 119th Congress.

Broadband Legislation Lobbying

Cox Enterprises Inc. also filed lobbying disclosures in the prior year targeting similar broadband infrastructure concerns, including HR 2784, the Stopping the Theft and Destruction of Broadband Act. Cox reported $680,000 in second quarter 2025 lobbying spending on video programming policy, corporate taxation, broadband deployment permitting reform, and pole attachments. The overlap suggests these broadband legislation lobbying efforts reflect broader industry priorities as telecommunications companies navigate modernization requirements and seek relief from permitting obstacles.

Lumen's focus on data center connectivity for AI capabilities signals the company's strategic pivot toward supporting emerging technology infrastructure. The emphasis on permitting streamlining and voice service discontinuance reform reflects ongoing friction between carriers and regulators over network modernization timelines.

The FCC published a rulemaking in April titled "Reducing Barriers to Network Improvements and Service Changes" addressing how legacy voice services can be discontinued. An FCC Fact Sheet from March 5 described a "Network and Services Modernization Order" combining consumer protections with reforms addressing state and local requirements that could hinder modernization. These regulatory developments may have motivated Lumen's lobbying focus on permitting reform.

The Bottom Line

Lumen's second quarter 2026 congressional lobbying filings reflect a company positioning itself for the infrastructure demands of artificial intelligence while seeking regulatory relief on network modernization. The presence of experienced Hill staff and focus on specific legislative vehicles suggests a sustained engagement strategy on broadband and connectivity issues.

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