FCC Chairman Ajit Pai

One recent Federal Communications Commission decision has caused some controversy of late. Specifically, some have asked why the agency’s Wireline Competition Bureau issued an order reconsidering nine companies’ eligibility to participate in the Lifeline program, which aims to help make voice and broadband more affordable to low-income Americans. It’s vital that low-income Americans have access to communications services, including broadband Internet, which Lifeline helps to achieve.

Unfortunately, many of the media headlines have sensationalized this story and given some an entirely misleading impression of what is going on. Indeed, based on the some of the coverage, one would think that we had ended Lifeline broadband subsidies altogether. So I want to set the record straight about the modest steps we have taken and why we have taken them.

I am pleased to announce that the Federal Communications Commission will be implementing two additional process reform measures—each of which has been proposed by one of the two other FCC commissioners.

First, Commissioner Clyburn has suggested that when the agency releases the text of meeting items, we should also release a one-page fact sheet that summarizes the proposal in question. She notes that this could make the item that we release accessible to more Americans. I agree. The FCC will do this beginning with the release of any items for the March meeting.
Second, Commissioner O’Rielly has proposed that any substantive edits made to an item between the time it is circulated and the meeting at which we vote on it should have to be proposed by a Commissioner, rather than staff. This reform will help promote accountability and allow Commissioners to better understand where edits are coming from. We will therefore implement this reform immediately.

With these changes and others that have been announced in the last few days, we are off to a strong start on the issue of process reform. But there is still much more to do. I look forward to continuing to work with my colleagues on improving the Commission’s operations.

During the past few years, the Chairman’s Office often briefed the press or published a blog about matters to be voted upon at the FCC’s monthly meetings before sharing those matters with Commissioners. As a Commissioner, I thought that actions like these were inappropriate and disrespectful of other Commissioners. Now, as Chairman, I still hold that view. Accordingly, I pledge that during my tenure as Chairman, my office will share with every Commissioner’s office every item that will be considered at an open meeting before anyone in my office discusses the content of those items publicly or the FCC releases the text of those documents. That is what we did with respect to the meeting items for the February 2017 meeting, and that is what we will continue to do in the months to come.

In the waning days of the last Administration, the Federal Communications Commission's Bureaus and Offices released a series of controversial orders and reports. In some cases, Commissioners were given no advance notice whatsoever of these midnight regulations. In other cases, they were issued over the objection of two of the four Commissioners. And in all cases, their release ran contrary to the wishes expressed by the leadership of our congressional oversight committees. These last-minute actions, which did not enjoy the support of the majority of Commissioners at the time they were taken, should not bind us going forward. Accordingly, they are being revoked.

In response to a letter from House Commerce Committee Ranking Member Frank Pallone (D-NJ) and House Communications Subcommittee Ranking Member Mike Doyle (D-PA), Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai pledged to:

• Reach out to the House Commerce Committee in a bipartisan manner and answer letters from Members “to the extent I can within law and Commission rules”;
• Do his best to hear all points of view and “approach every issue with a literal open door and a figurative open mind”; and
• Treat FCC staff fairly.

[Commentary] In December, the world’s first commercial broadcast using a new video transmission standard—one that enables dramatically better picture quality and new services—took place in South Korea. This standard, which some call ATSC 3.0 and others call Next Gen TV, is the first one to marry the advantages of broadcasting and the internet. Feb 1, I shared with my fellow Federal Communications Commission commissioners a proposal to allow broadcasters to use the Next Gen TV standard on a voluntary basis.

My view is simple: As in any industry, the FCC should promote innovation in the broadcasting business, not stand in the way of progress. I look forward to receiving feedback on our proposal from broadcasters, consumers, and other stakeholders. And I hope that we can issue a final authorization of the standard later in 2017. We expect and want the United States to lead the world in technological innovation. Moving forward with Next Gen TV would enable us to do just that. With this standard, the FCC could help American broadcasters benefit American consumers in a way befitting the marvels of the digital age. Stay tuned!

[Ajit Pai is the Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission]

As I enter this new position, I want you to know that I value and respect each and every one of you. I may now have the fancy title of Chairman (although I urge you to call me Ajit), but the credit for our work primarily belongs to you...

One of the most significant things that I’ve seen during my time here is that there is a digital divide in this country—between those who can use from cutting-edge communications services and those who do not. I believe one of our core priorities going forward should be to close that divide—to do what’s necessary to help the private sector build networks, send signals, and distribute information to American consumers, regardless of race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, or anything else. We must work to bring the benefits of the digital age to all Americans.

Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai issued the following statement on telecommunications-related legislation passed by the US House of Representatives Jan 24: “I want to commend the US House of Representatives for passing a number of important, bipartisan telecom bills yesterday. These bills will help bring greater efficiency to the Commission, provide consumers with greater protections, improve rural call completion, help amateur radio operators, and take several steps to promote public safety. In particular, I am heartened to see that Kari’s Law is one step closer to becoming the law of the land. We all owe Kari’s father, Hank Hunt, a debt of gratitude for his decision to press forward and help ensure that every call to 911 goes through. I look forward to working with Congress on these and other important issues as Chairman of the FCC.”

I am deeply grateful to the President of the United States for designating me the 34th Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission. I look forward to working with the new Administration, my colleagues at the Commission, members of Congress, and the American public to bring the benefits of the digital age to all Americans.