Chairman Wheeler urges President-elect Trump to protect consumers, not corporations

As Republicans prepare to take over the Federal Communications Commission, outgoing Chairman Tom Wheeler defended his Democratic majority’s decisions and said he hopes the FCC will continue to protect consumers under President Donald Trump. Chairman Wheeler said: "Certain of my colleagues identified the items on today's proposed agenda as controversial and asked that they not be considered today. I hope that this doesn't mean that these issues won't be quickly addressed after the transfer of leadership of this agency. It is unfortunate that hospitals and small businesses in search of competitive alternatives will be denied that opportunity. They deserve better from this commission. It is truly disappointing that 1.4 million Americans living in rural areas without LTE service will continue to be so deprived. They deserve better from this commission. And it is tragic that 1.3 million Americans who are blind and millions more who are visually impaired will not be able to enjoy expanded video description. They deserve better from this commission. All of these matters are so-called 'controversial' because they are opposed principally by the largest incumbent firms in the sector. As the deferred items reflect, when so-called controversy is the result of choosing between the broader common good or those incumbents preferring the status quo, I believe the public interest should prevail."

“Taking a fast, fair and open internet away from the public would be a real mistake,” a somber and steely-eyed Chairman Wheeler told reporters after the FCC’s monthly meeting. “Taking away network privacy that consumers enjoy as a result of our decision would be a real mistake.”