November 14th, 2024

If You Like Being Ripped Off by Comcast, You'll Love Trump's Likely New FCC Boss

Brendan Carr is expected to be appointed as FCC chair by Trump, promoting policies favoring telecom companies, potentially dismantling consumer protections, increasing prices, and raising concerns about censorship and industry consolidation.

Read original articleLink Icon
If You Like Being Ripped Off by Comcast, You'll Love Trump's Likely New FCC Boss

Current FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr is anticipated to be Donald Trump's choice for the next head of the FCC. Carr has a history of aligning with major telecom companies like AT&T and Comcast, which raises concerns about his commitment to consumer protection. His expected agenda includes dismantling existing consumer protections, such as net neutrality and broadband privacy, and promoting policies that favor large telecom monopolies. Critics argue that Carr's approach will lead to higher prices, reduced service quality, and increased privacy violations for consumers. Additionally, there are fears that he may undermine community broadband initiatives and support controversial mergers that could further consolidate the telecom industry. Carr's past statements suggest he may also target media companies critical of Trump, raising concerns about potential censorship. Overall, his leadership could significantly shift the FCC's focus away from consumer welfare towards serving corporate interests.

- Brendan Carr is likely to be appointed as the next FCC chair under Trump.

- His policies are expected to favor major telecom companies at the expense of consumer protections.

- Concerns include the potential dismantling of net neutrality and increased prices for consumers.

- Carr may also target media outlets critical of Trump, raising issues of censorship.

- His leadership could lead to further consolidation in the telecom industry.

Link Icon 2 comments
By @josefresco - 5 months
Lots of soft and hard Republicans here on HN. Any of you want to defend this decision?

More about Brendan Carr: https://www.techdirt.com/2024/10/24/hey-brendan-carr-next-ti...

By @gs17 - 5 months
> I also suspect Carr will find creative ways to undermine the exploding and hugely popular community broadband movement

It's unfortunate that municipal broadband isn't seen as "making America great again". Google Fiber has been a lot better than Comcast, but I trust it as much as any other Google product.