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Luxembourg, 1 December 2020. – The Chairman of the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Ajit Pai, will leave his post at the end of Donald Trump’s term on 20 January 2021, Pai announced.
“It has been the honor of a lifetime to serve at the Federal Communications Commission, including as Chairman of the FCC over the past four years,” Pai said. “I am grateful to President Trump for giving me the opportunity to lead the agency in 2017, to President Obama for appointing me as a Commissioner in 2012, and to Senate Majority Leader McConnell and the Senate for twice confirming me.”
Referring to some landmark decisions of the FCC under his leadership, Pai said: “(W)e’ve delivered for the American people over the past four years: closing the digital divide; promoting innovation and competition, from 5G on the ground to broadband from space; protecting consumers; and advancing public safety”.
During Pai’s tenure, the FCC set out its rules regulating several thorny issues including net neutrality, the massive funding of rural broadband and the clearing of a large chunk of satellite spectrum for the roll-out of 5G in the U.S.
Pai’s departure could mean that the Commission, composed of five Commissioners including the Chairman, could shift from a Republican to a Democrat 3-2 majority. The FCC Chairman is appointed by the President of the United States.
