Odds of a Republican-controlled FCC making meaningful changes to retransmission consent or undertaking other new video rules seem scant, insiders agreed. The American TV Alliance agitated earlier this month for retrans reform (see 1701090039). Chairman Tom Wheeler last year opted not to take any action on an NPRM on proposed changes to the totality of circumstances test (see 1607140047). Incompas also urged retrans reform earlier this month.

Industry parties, public interest groups and others offered generally favorable comments and recommendations on FCC Commissioner Mignon Clyburn's action plan for ensuring affordable communications access and other objectives. Wireless, wireline and satellite entities urged various actions and incentives to promote broadband deployment and adoption. A host of civil rights and consumer groups backed inmate calling service reforms and other initiatives.

Industry parties, public interest groups and others offered generally favorable comments and recommendations on FCC Commissioner Mignon Clyburn's action plan for ensuring affordable communications access and other objectives. Wireless, wireline and satellite entities urged various actions and incentives to promote broadband deployment and adoption. A host of civil rights and consumer groups backed inmate calling service reforms and other initiatives.

Democratic House Communications Subcommittee leadership of Rep. Mike Doyle, D-Pa., bodes well for the party in the new Congress, his colleagues told us Thursday after Commerce Committee Democrats selected him as subcommittee ranking member (see 1701120021). He will take over for Rep. Anna Eshoo, D-Calif., who didn’t seek the position, and he said in an interview he will focus on preserving consumer protections from the FCC net neutrality order. He has been in office since 1995.

Democratic House Communications Subcommittee leadership of Rep. Mike Doyle, D-Pa., bodes well for the party in the new Congress, his colleagues told us Thursday after Commerce Committee Democrats selected him as subcommittee ranking member (see 1701120021). He will take over for Rep. Anna Eshoo, D-Calif., who didn’t seek the position, and he said in an interview he will focus on preserving consumer protections from the FCC net neutrality order. He has been in office since 1995.

Parties offered a jumble of views on possible telecom deregulation in biennial review reply comments posted Tuesday and Wednesday in various dockets, including 16-132. Wireline and wireless telcos and others generally proposed the commission repeal numerous rules in initial comments (see 1612060072). Republican Commissioners Ajit Pai and Michael O'Rielly, who will gain the majority under incoming President Donald Trump, have voiced enthusiasm for clearing what they term "regulatory underbrush," raising the profile of the proceeding (see 1612070040 and 1611030042).

Parties offered a jumble of views on possible telecom deregulation in biennial review reply comments posted Tuesday and Wednesday in various dockets, including 16-132. Wireline and wireless telcos and others generally proposed the commission repeal numerous rules in initial comments (see 1612060072). Republican Commissioners Ajit Pai and Michael O'Rielly, who will gain the majority under incoming President Donald Trump, have voiced enthusiasm for clearing what they term "regulatory underbrush," raising the profile of the proceeding (see 1612070040 and 1611030042).

FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler announced before Thursday’s commissioners' meeting that he will leave on Inauguration Day (see 1612150002), as expected (see 1612130014). The move effectively clears the way for a 2-1 FCC starting Jan. 20, with senior Republican Ajit Pai likely at the helm as interim or possibly permanent chairman. A student of history, Wheeler did what most of his predecessors have done, though he was under pressure from some interest groups to stay on. Wheeler was quicker to clarify he would step down than his most recent predecessors have been. The FCC next meets Jan. 26.

FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler announced before Thursday’s commissioners' meeting that he will leave on Inauguration Day (see 1612150002), as expected (see 1612130014). The move effectively clears the way for a 2-1 FCC starting Jan. 20, with senior Republican Ajit Pai likely at the helm as interim or possibly permanent chairman. A student of history, Wheeler did what most of his predecessors have done, though he was under pressure from some interest groups to stay on. Wheeler was quicker to clarify he would step down than his most recent predecessors have been. The FCC next meets Jan. 26.

Verizon and CenturyLink would welcome the incoming Congress clarifying the FCC's net neutrality order through legislation, vice presidents for the companies said Tuesday during an NTCA meeting in Washington. But some on a panel worried about broader dysfunction in government that would prevent any easy legislative action on what they judged an increasingly politicized topic. Legislation was much discussed at the event (see 1612130053), among other issues like Lifeline by Commissioner Mignon Clyburn (see 1612130059).