Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Ajit Pai told The Wall Street Journal that his term in office laid the groundwork for faster networks.
Pai, a Republican, is leaving his office on Wednesday with the inaugration of President-elect Joe Biden and said that he oversaw a collection of cellular networks that grew bigger, faster, and more varied over the past four years.
He became chairman in 2017 and vowed to slash red tape that made network investments difficult and to create an environment where regulations are more predictable. Many of his changes were objected to by Democrats, but withstood repeated challenges in court.
Those who criticized Pai said his emphasis on faster cellphone service was at the expense of more pressing issues, such as the lack of basic broadband service in many areas.
But Pai defended the FCC’s record, noting that its technology agnostic approach to subsidies and regulations allowed companies that provide nontraditional broadband service from broadcast towers and low-Earth orbit satellites to flourish.
“Fiber deployment is up, wireless cell sites are up,” he said. “The infrastructure is being built.”
Pai stressed that “It’s very important for the FCC chair to maintain its independence because otherwise, instead of putting your finger on the problem, you’re putting your finger in the wind. That’s not a good place to be for any independent leader.”
Brian Freeman ✉
Brian Freeman, a Newsmax writer based in Israel, has more than three decades writing and editing about culture and politics for newspapers, online and television.
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