On May 7, 2012 the Senate confirmed the nomination of confirmation of Ajit Pai and Jessica Rosenworcel as the newest commissioners to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).

The FCC has been operating with one vacancy since June 2011 and two since the beginning of 2012. Mr. Pai fills the vacancy left by the departure Meredith Attwell Baker in June 2011; and Ms. Rosenworcel fills the vacancy left by the retirement of Michael J. Copps in December 2011. Pai and Rosenworcel will be joining the FCC as it prepares to make decisions on various issues including the implementation of the spectrum incentive auctions, the launch of the Connect America Fund and the mobility fund auctions, as well as finalizing its quadrennial media ownership rule review.

As noted in previous blog posts, over the past year the FCC has redefined “universal service” to include broadband communications which has the potential to further increase the cost of the Lifeline program and has continued the Universal Service Fund through its Connect America Fund with no end in sight.  When the FCC begins operating with its full complement of commissioners, CAGW will be keeping a watchful eye over its actions to ensure that decisions are made by the commission with a full understanding of the cost to taxpayers.

Filed under: Telecommunications