State & Local Government Policy, Business and Technology

With Pai’s departure, FCC likely to restore net neutrality, strengthen municipal broadband

StateScoop: Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai’s announcement Monday that he intends to resign Jan. 20 presents the incoming Biden administration with an opportunity to restore net neutrality and overhaul the federal government’s attitude toward municipal broadband, Tyler Cooper, the editor of Broadbandnow.com, told StateScoop.

President-elect Joe Biden will have the opportunity to name a new member of the five-person commission, as well as a new chairperson, when Pai leaves after leading the FCC since 2017. While current Democratic commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel is considered a leading candidate to replace Pai as the chair of the FCC, Cooper said, it’s likely that some of the Biden administration’s policies will be prioritized regardless of who leads.

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