With a return of Donald Trump to the White House, the FCC will likely see a Republican majority led by current Commissioner Brendan Carr, the most senior Republican on the Commission. Carr, a strong candidate for the FCC Chair, has laid out an assertive conservative agenda in the Project 2025 policy (see Inside Towers story of July 17) proposal, which outlines the FCC’s direction under a Republican administration. On Tuesday, Inside Towers ran an article entitled: “What a Carr FCC Might Look Like.”
His priorities emphasize curtailing Big Tech’s influence, reforming the Universal Service Fund (USF), expanding the list of security-risk companies, and reinforcing funding for the Rip and Replace program aimed at replacing telecommunications equipment from suspect sources.
Key highlights of Carr’s vision include:
- Section 230 Reform: Carr supports scaling back protections for internet companies under Section 230, which currently shields them from liability for user-generated content. This move aligns with broader Republican calls to rein in Big Tech by increasing accountability for content moderation practices.
- Universal Service Fund (USF) Contributions: Carr advocates for requiring internet companies, not just broadband providers, to contribute to the USF. This proposal coincides with Republican plans in Congress, where Senator Ted Cruz has suggested funding the USF directly through Congressional appropriations, allowing legislators more oversight over broadband subsidies.
- Spectrum Access Expansion: Carr emphasizes the need for more wireless spectrum to support network expansion, despite the FCC’s auction authority expiring in March 2023. This objective, crucial for 5G development, hinges on whether Congress renews auction authority.
- Overbuilding Restrictions and Infrastructure Coordination: Carr has criticized using federal broadband funds for “overbuilding,” the practice of deploying redundant broadband infrastructure, and advocates for streamlined inter-agency coordination on spectrum and infrastructure.
Furthermore, Carr has consistently opposed net neutrality, criticized AI regulation in political ads, and condemned the FCC’s recent revocation of Starlink’s Rural Digital Opportunity Fund subsidy, which he viewed as “regulatory harassment” of Elon Musk’s Starlink. This stance could imply support for satellite broadband funding opportunities, including the $42 billion BEAD program overseen by the NTIA, potentially benefiting Starlink under Carr’s leadership.
Ted Hearn, Policyband publisher and former VP at ACA Connects, suggests that a Republican-led Congress could drive significant reforms to the Universal Service Fund. If Texas Senator Ted Cruz becomes Chairman of a key committee, he could steer the USF toward a new funding model. Cruz advocates shifting the USF’s funding source from fees on broadband providers or Big Tech to direct appropriations from Congress. This change would give lawmakers increased oversight over the allocation of USF funds and the regulatory framework for FCC-administered broadband programs.
Before a Republican FCC majority could take shape, however, the current FCC Chair Jessica Rosenworcel may pursue her own regulatory initiatives, like the 60-day phone unlocking mandate or adjustments to pole attachment rules. Nonetheless, these actions might be reversed by a Carr-led FCC or nullified by Congress using the Congressional Review Act, leaving future FCC policies in flux as political dynamics shift.
By Jim Fryer, Inside Towers Managing Editor
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