O’Rielly Keen on New FCC Term

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FCC Commissioner Michael O’Rielly would welcome a new term as an FCC Commissioner. “I’ve expressed an interest in potentially staying,” he said in an interview for C-SPAN’s ‘The Communicators’ series this week. “But I respect the fact that this is D.C. and the nominations and the process can be complex.”

O’Rielly’s been at the agency over five years. His term ends June 30, although he can remain seated for an additional year and a half. “I think I am adding value to the conversation and would enjoy additional time, but I also want to see how the winds of D.C play out.”

O’Rielly also discussed 5G, and whether Chinese telecom Huawei should have access to U.S. markets. Concerning Chinese telecoms like Huawei, O’Rielly said a number of small wireless companies have incorporated that gear into their networks because it’s inexpensive.

“They are trying to not only corner the marketplace, but to use their leverage, not only for the U.S., but globally, to dominate the market for 5G services,” he said.

The prices these telecoms are offering to some of the smaller carriers, “are lower than what can be sustainable by other manufacturers.” That’s what the FCC is wrestling with and Congress may need to step in and decide some of these issues, according to O’Rielly. Access the interview on The Communicators’ home page.

February 19, 2019

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