Net neutrality critic Brendan Carr has been nominated as the next FCC chairman by incoming President Donald Trump. The nomination, which is pending Senate approval, marks a potential pivot in the regulatory body’s approach—given Carr’s well-documented stance against net neutrality.
Carr is expected to succeed Democrat commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel, who was first appointed as interim-chair in January 2021 and later secured as permanent chair in October 2021 by President Joe Biden. Rosenworcel’s tenure, characterised by a focus on consumer protections, stands in stark contrast to the deregulatory approach championed by Carr.
In his first comments following the nomination, Carr laid out his vision for the FCC under his leadership. “Broadcast media have had the privilege of using a scarce and valuable public resource — our airwaves,” Carr stated. “In turn, they are required by law to operate in the public interest. When the transition is complete, the FCC will enforce this public interest obligation.”
Carr’s leadership style and regulatory philosophy align closely with that of the former Republican FCC chairman Ajit Pai. Pai’s tenure was notably marked by the controversial decision to repeal the net neutrality rules that were established in 2015, a move that Carr also supported.
Carr argues that such regulations hinder investment and innovation within the broadband infrastructure. He believes that a free-market approach, without heavy governmental oversight, better serves consumers and promotes competition among internet service providers (ISPs). Carr has been forthright in describing net neutrality as unnecessary, asserting that the market itself is equipped to address consumer needs without regulatory intervention.
According to Carr, ISPs are incentivised to provide quality service in order to retain customers and compete effectively in the marketplace. As such, he asserts that consumers should have the freedom to choose their ISPs, with competition driving improvements in service quality and pricing. Carr warns that imposing strict regulations could lead to reduced competition and harm consumers.
Despite his opposition to net neutrality, Carr advocates for transparency from both ISPs and large tech companies. He suggests that consumers should be fully informed about how their data is handled and the prioritisation of services, proposing this transparency as a crucial component of consumer protection in a deregulated market landscape.
Carr’s nomination and his clear opposition to net neutrality represent broader ideological divides within the US on the issue of internet regulation.
Proponents of net neutrality argue for protections that prevent ISPs from favouring certain content or charging for higher-speed access, thus ensuring fair access for consumers. Conversely, those advocating for deregulation, like Carr, argue that such protections stifle innovation and investment—ultimately harming the consumers they are intended to protect.
However, not all industry analysts expect Carr’s appointment to change much:
As Carr awaits Senate approval, his potential leadership of the FCC is likely to bring renewed debates over the future of internet regulations in the US. The outcome of these discussions will shape not only the landscape of American internet services but also the global conversation around technological innovation and consumer rights.
(Image Credit: Gage Skidmore under CC BY-SA 2.0 license)
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