FCC Boss Tom Wheeler Announces His Resignation FCC boss Tom Wheeler has formally submitted his resignation from the agency, effective on January 20. While Wheeler's term technically doesn't end until 2018, under FCC rules he can only stay on as a "vanilla" Commissioner, not as Chairman. Bucking expectations, Wheeler wound up being one of the more consumer-focused bosses in agency history (which is admittedly not saying much). Wheeler helped pass net neutrality rules, new broadband privacy rules, fought for increased cable box competition and fought to highlight and repair the lack of competition in the sector.

"Serving as F.C.C. Chairman during this period of historic technological change has been the greatest honor of my professional life," Wheeler said in a statement posted to the FCC's website (pdf). "I am especially thankful to the talented Commission staff for their service and sacrifice during my tenure," added the outgoing FCC boss. "Their achievements have contributed to a thriving communications sector, where robust investment and world-leading innovation continue to drive our economy and meaningful improvements in the lives of the American people." Wheeler's departure immediately gives the Republicans a 2-1 dominant position at the agency, thanks in part to the GOP's outright refusal to give Democratic FCC Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel a hearing to extend her tenure. Wheeler last week had promised the GOP that he'd resign immediately if Rosenworcel was given another term, but that would have resulted in a 2-2 deadlock at the agency until a new boss can complete a Senate hearing -- so the GOP refused. The 2-1 split gives the GOP an early head start on its agenda, which Trump telecom advisors have made very clear will include eliminating net neutrality as well as defanging and defunding the FCC. Needless to say, executives at companies like Verizon, AT&T and Comcast are excited by the prospect. Wheeler likely wasn't keen on spending his retirement years watching an endless series of 3-2 partisan votes dismantle the last four years of work. "As much as we would like to retreat to simpler times and simple solutions, the realities of today just don’t give us that luxury," Wheeler said in his last meeting today at the agency. "In the 21st Century, the common good is often defined by how we connect, and that is why the FCC is so darned important. Ignoring that reality is bad for consumers and for those who provide services to them." "As much as we would like to retreat to simpler times and simple solutions, the realities of today just don’t give us that luxury," Wheeler said in his last meeting today at the agency. "In the 21st Century, the common good is often defined by how we connect, and that is why the FCC is so darned important. Ignoring that reality is bad for consumers and for those who provide services to them."







News Jump WISPs Get CBRS Range As Great As Six Miles At 100 Mbps Speeds; Windstream Officially Exits Bankruptcy; + more news Charter Relaunches Free 60-day Internet And Wi-Fi Offer; NCTA: FCC Should Stick With 25/3 Speed Threshold; + more news Comcast Shuts Off Internet for Subs Who Were Sold Service Illegally; AT&T, Verizon Team To Stop T-Mobile 5G; + more news California Defends Its Net Neutrality Law; AT&T's Traffic Up 20% Despite Data Traffic Actually Being Down; + more news Are The Comcast-Charter X1 Talks Dead In The Water?; AT&T May Offer Phone Plans With Ads For Discounts; + more news Europe's Top Court: Net Neutrality Rules Bar Zero Rating; ViacomCBS To Rebrand CBS All Access As Paramount+; + more news Verizon To Buy Reseller TracFone For $7B; 5G Not The Competitive Threat To Cable Many Thought It Would Be; + more news MS.Wants Records From AT&T On $300M Project; Google Fiber Outages In Austin, Houston, Other Texan Cities; + more news States With The Biggest Decreases In Speed; AT&T Hopes You'll Forget Its Fight Against Accurate Maps; + more news AT&T's CEO Has A Familiar $olution To US Broadband Woes; EarthLink Files Suit Against Charter; + more news ---------------------- this week last week most discussed

Most recommended from 52 comments

jorcmg

join:2002-10-24

USA 53 recommendations jorcmg Member Farewell It is not often you get a public servant who served the people who was previously a lobbyist.



Nicely done.

OCZ

The Former Pocket

join:2009-05-15

Saint Paul, MN 43 recommendations OCZ Member Thank you No matter what you think of the guy - he was definitely a Chairman who finally held consumer interests in mind. He did us all a service with the bold measures his administration pushed forward.



Thank you, Tom Wheeler for the dedicated service you performed. You are truly an inspiration.

Anon5cdd0

@2a00:e60.x 6 recommendations Anon5cdd0 Anon A credit to the Democratic party Mr wheeler and the other democratic commissioners done a fantastic job advocating for the average everyday consumers.



Glad my vote was for Mrs clinton.

Anone62fb

@qwest.net 2 recommendations Anone62fb Anon Once a Dingo, changed his fur to become human and represent Remember Mr. Wheeler didn't start out as an advocate until he was called to the carpet by John Oliver. The same could apply to the next commissioner.



Remember we hold the real power, if we sit back and blog complaints we get what corporations want vs. the consumers who use the product, if we raise hell everyday and get assists from say the next John Oliver we could get better rules.



It just takes principled citizens willing to stand up... write your congress member everyday, picket, unsubscribe to bad ISPs and go without until we get better alternatives. If they aren't making money, they will listen. HiDesert

join:2008-08-17 2 recommendations HiDesert Member Really bad news. This is not good with Wheeler leaving. Trump being anti union and pro merger this is only makes matter's worse. Throw a couple of extreme right winger supreme court justices and a corporate far right FCC boss and there ya go.. We are doomed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!