Fierce Telecom looks at what the Trump Administration could mean for a number of broadband issues…

First things first. Historically, the party in power has held a 3-2 majority at the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), allowing them to carry out the president’s policy agenda. Traditionally, the sitting chair has stepped down, allowing the President to pick a new FCC chief.

So, with Trump in the White House, that means the FCC will be Republican-led and likely by sitting Commissioner Brendan Carr. Though Trump hasn’t specified his choice for FCC chair, Carr is the most senior Republican on the Commission and analysts have singled him out as the probable pick.

For USF (Universal Service Fund)…

On the Universal Service Fund front, reform could also come via a Republican-led Congress, according to Ted Hearn, Policyband publisher and former VP of industry association ACA Connects. …

Instead of relying on fees from broadband providers or big tech, Cruz has argued the USF should be funded via appropriations from Congress. That way, lawmakers can keep a closer eye on where the money goes and what rules are set for broadband programs under the FCC.

For wireless…

But back to Carr’s potential agenda. In the Project 2025 document, Carr also advocates for the FCC to free up more spectrum for wireless service, though it’s unclear how it would do this given the agency’s auction authority lapsed in March 2023 and has yet to be renewed.

Carr also indicated Republicans should eliminate policies which allow broadband funding to be used for overbuilding and improve coordination on spectrum policy and infrastructure spending.

For BEAD and Net Neutrality…

Project 2025 aside, Carr has also opposed net neutrality rules adopted by the FCC, as well as rules designed to regulate the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in political ads.

Additionally, he argued against the FCC’s decision to revoke Starlink’s $885 million Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF) subsidy award, calling it “regulatory harassment” of Starlink owner Elon Musk. Why does that matter? Well, Musk potentially has a lot to gain should policy for the $42 billion Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program swing in favor of Starlink’s satellite service. Granted the FCC isn’t in charge of administering BEAD – the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) is – but Musk would likely find an ally in Carr.