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).

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).

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit surprised many on both sides of the fight over net neutrality rules and broadband reclassification when it upheld the FCC across the board. After Dec. 4, 2015, oral argument on industry challenges to the 2015 rules (see Part III of this Special Report, 1610130014), the D.C. Circuit issued its decision June 14. That ruling was the subject of two Communications Daily Bulletins that day (see 1606140010 and 1606140012) and many more later stories. This final Part IV of the net neutrality Special Report focuses on the court ruling and continuing challenges.

FCC staff approved Verizon's purchase of XO Communications without conditions in an order released Wednesday in docket 16-70. Staff found deal-related competitive harms were minor and some public-interest benefits were likely through 5G and wireless network densification. Incompas recently asked the commission to impose various wholesale conditions (see 1611140045).

FCC staff approved Verizon's purchase of XO Communications without conditions in an order released Wednesday in docket 16-70. Staff found deal-related competitive harms were minor and some public-interest benefits were likely through 5G and wireless network densification. Incompas recently asked the commission to impose various wholesale conditions (see 1611140045).

The FCC decision to pull all major items from Thursday's commissioners' meeting was a response to mounting pressure from congressional Republicans -- backed by GOP commissioners -- citing the transition from President Barack Obama to President-elect Donald Trump. "In light of the congressional letters we received, we have revised the meeting agenda," said an FCC spokesman Wednesday. "The meeting is still on, with the only item on the agenda being the consent agenda item." Chairman Tom Wheeler made the decision, said an FCC official. Some at the agency said party-line split votes on the items had been likely.

The FCC decision to pull all major items from Thursday's commissioners' meeting was a response to mounting pressure from congressional Republicans -- backed by GOP commissioners -- citing the transition from President Barack Obama to President-elect Donald Trump. "In light of the congressional letters we received, we have revised the meeting agenda," said an FCC spokesman Wednesday. "The meeting is still on, with the only item on the agenda being the consent agenda item." Chairman Tom Wheeler made the decision, said an FCC official. Some at the agency said party-line split votes on the items had been likely.