FCC Commissioner Geoffrey Starks

Federal Communications Commissioner Geoffrey Starks released a statement announcing his intent to resign: "I sent a letter to the President and Leader Schumer indicating that I intend to resign my seat as a Commissioner this spring. Serving the American people as a Commissioner on the Federal Communications Commission has been the honor of my life. With my extraordinary fellow Commissioners and the incredible career staff at the agency, we have worked hard to connect all Americans, promote innovation, protect consumers, and ensure national security.

Federal Communications Commission Commissioner Geoffrey Starks issued remarks following reports that Chairman Carr has opened an investigation into the equal employment opportunity practices of Comcast and NBCUniversal. "Then-Commissioner Carr blasted the prior administration for acting in a way that ‘gives the FCC a nearly limitless power to veto private sector decisions,’" Starks said. "From what I know, this enforcement action is out of our lane and out of our reach.

I applaud Congress for fully funding the Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Reimbursement Program. In 2019, I convened a first-of-its-kind workshop at the Federal Communications Commission to consider security threats that stem from the presence of Chinese communications equipment in U.S. networks.

The growth in mobile data traffic makes our world better informed, more fulfilled, and of course, better connected. It means consumers are taking advantage of the powerful service our networks are delivering. But it also means those networks are being tested like never before. As we know, this network strain will only continue as IoT devices, intelligent infrastructure, and AI-enabled applications proliferate.

Federal Communications Commissioner Geoffrey Starks spoke at the 6G Symposium about the benefits and challenges of 6G, and what the FCC has done to advance the development of 5G. "I believe 6G presents both an environmental challenge as well as an opportunity. Like 5G, 6G has the potential to increase our energy efficiency and reduce our emissions in areas like manufacturing, agriculture, and transportation. But we simply cannot take this for granted.

On September 10, 2024, Federal Communications Commissioner Geoffrey Starks delivered remarks to the Competitive Carriers Association (CCA) at its annual convention at Amelia Island (FL). Commissioner Starks highlighted a number of broadband-related topics in his speech, including the developments in wireless technology since his 2019 CCA speech, the Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Act, and the need for more affordability measures like the Affordable Connectivity program (ACP). "Let me be clear," said Starks.

Today, the bipartisan Affordable Connectivity Program expires.  This will cause real harm to millions of Americans.  ACP is the most effective program we have ever had in closing the digital divide.  Over 23 million households enrolled in ACP, realizing the benefits of affordable, high-speed broadband.  And now we are leaving them behind. Let’s put that 23 million in context.  That’s one in six households in the country.  Millions of veterans, seniors, families of color, and households with children.

We stand at a crossroad in the landscape of communications and digital equity. As we navigate the complexities of the 21st century, one thing has remained unchanged—our commitment to ensuring that every American, regardless of where you live or how much you make, has access to reliable, affordable, and high-speed Internet.

The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) helps 23 million American households afford the internet. But on February 8, the program began winding down due to a lack of funding. New households no longer can enroll. Soon, current households will confront a choice between bill shock and disconnection. We cannot let this happen. The ACP is the most effective program we’ve had in helping low-income Americans get online and stay online. Indeed, it has been the most successful program ever in our decades-long bipartisan effort to solve the digital divide.

Federal Communications Commissioner Geoffrey Starks and Congressional Black Caucus Chair Steven Horsford (D-NV-04) visited the Southern Nevada Regional Housing Authority to hear from residents and state and local officials about the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP)’s positive impact on closing the digital divide and the need for Congress to continue the program.