Fireside Chat, Interview
A Conversation with Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr | Global Conference 2025
- FCC Chairman Brendan Carr outlined three primary "100-day highlights" focused on accelerating infrastructure, securing national security, and reducing regulatory burdens.
- Carr initiated "In Re Delete, Delete, Delete," the largest deregulatory initiative in FCC history, currently seeking comment on a top-to-bottom review of all existing regulations.
- The FCC has already proposed closing approximately 2,000 active dockets to clear regulatory backlog and stimulate private sector investment.
- A new Council on National Security was established to address perceived infiltration risks by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) into U.S. networks and devices.
- Spectrum availability is identified as a critical bottleneck; Carr noted that only ~7% of prime mid-band spectrum is currently available for high-power 5G/6G commercial use, compared to significantly higher shares held by China.
- Carr advocates for restoring FCC spectrum auction authority through the Congressional reconciliation bill, projecting revenue of over $80 billion to help fund border security and tax cuts.
- The administration aims to transition federal spectrum held by the Department of Defense into the commercial marketplace to address the current supply shortage.
- Satellite spectrum is treated as shared spectrum rather than exclusive-use spectrum, explaining why providers like Starlink do not pay auction fees comparable to terrestrial carriers like AT&T or T-Mobile.
- Carr views the current satellite-terrestrial relationship as complimentary, citing active partnerships between Starlink/T-Mobile and AST Space Mobile/AT&T, while emphasizing the need to accelerate space bureau licensing to counter China's Belt and Road initiative.
- The FCC plans to modify rules to allow direct-to-cell technology to increase speed and power, reducing reliance on ground dishes for rural connectivity.
- Carr expressed strong disappointment regarding Dish Network's failure to utilize its awarded spectrum, stating it must be put to immediate use given the national spectrum crunch.
- Regarding free speech, Carr defended differentiated treatment of broadcasters versus digital platforms, citing broadcasters' historical access to a monopolistic public resource (airwaves) which justifies public interest obligations.
- The FCC aims to empower local broadcasters by reducing national programmers' control over local affiliates and reviewing ownership rules to help local stations compete with Big Tech in advertising.
- Carr dismissed the idea of a conflict of interest regarding his prior role at Comcast, stating he will evaluate all cases based on facts and law regardless of political pressure or personal associations.
- The FCC is currently reviewing a complaint against CBS regarding a 60 Minutes edit under news distortion rules, separate from the pending Paramount global media transaction approval.
- Carr confirmed regulatory proceedings are nearing closure for the Verizon-Frontier investment and identified the T-Mobile U.S. Cellular deal as the next major decision in the queue.
- Long-term goals include eliminating outdated copper retirement regulations, which currently force billions in investment into legacy DSL networks, in favor of shifting capital to high-speed IP infrastructure.
- Carr anticipates a converged future where cable providers, mobile carriers, and satellite operators (Starlink, Kuiper) compete, driving down prices and bridging the digital divide through 5G and 6G technologies.
- Carr, a former general counsel who joined the FCC as a staffer in 2012, described his tenure as an unplanned "Forrest Gump career" and expressed personal satisfaction with the agency's progress in its first 100 days.