Starlink is in favor, but big tech will have to change: the new head of the FCC promises reforms in the telecommunications industry

Brendan Carr will lead the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) after Donald Trump takes office as president. This opens a new page in the regulation of the American telecommunications industry. Carr’s initiatives are aimed at removing barriers to technological innovation and combating the dominance of tech giants. He will focus on developing satellite communications and ensuring equal access to digital resources.

Image source: Wesley Tingey/Unsplash, fcc.gov

Carr, the leading GOP member of the FCC, has established himself as an outspoken advocate for regulatory liberalization reforms. His participation in Project 2025, the Republican administration’s plan to implement political and administrative reforms, underscores a commitment to reducing bureaucratic barriers that hold back industry development. However, the implementation of this agenda will be complicated both by court decisions limiting the FCC’s powers and by the expectations of the Trump administration, which previously required the commission to carry out policy tasks that were not within its purview. Balancing the agency’s independence with political interests will be an important test for Carr.

Carr takes a tough position on the issue of regulation of the digital space, calling the actions of large IT companies a “censorship cartel.” He argues that corporations are crowding out alternative political views, violating fundamental principles of free speech. In addition, Carr has been highly critical of the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) policy, saying the FCC will no longer support it. Successfully implementing these initiatives will require Carr not only to be strategic, but also to navigate between the commission’s autonomy and the influence of the White House.

Satellite communications is one of the most complex and competitive areas regulated by the FCC. Carr praises Elon Musk’s contributions to the development of satellite technology, especially the Starlink project, which, in his opinion, opens up new horizons for international communication. However, he criticized the FCC’s decision to strip Starlink of subsidies as a move that stifles innovation. At the same time, Carr draws attention to the need for fair distribution of frequencies, which is becoming a key factor in the competition between Starlink and Project Kuiper, Amazon’s satellite Internet project.

Brendan Carr supports a ban on TikTok in the US, citing national security threats. He also advocates overhauling legal frameworks, including Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, that provide tech companies like Alphabet and Meta✴ protection from liability for content posted. In addition, Carr proposes requiring tech giants to contribute to federal internet subsidies, which are currently paid entirely by telecom carriers. In his opinion, such measures are necessary to restore equal conditions of competition in the market, despite severe resistance from large IT corporations.

Carr intends to review regulatory restrictions related to the consolidation of media companies, which, in his opinion, are outdated and interfere with effective competition. Nexstar Media Group CEO Perry Sook has already described the initiative as a “huge opportunity” for local TV stations to strengthen their position in the market. Carr believes that easing these restrictions will allow traditional media to compete more successfully with the IT giants that have captured audience attention.

The political balance within the FCC will have a significant impact on the implementation of Carr’s initiatives. Following the departure of current chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel, the commission’s membership will be split evenly between Republican and Democratic representatives, which could make decisions that require a majority vote more difficult to make. However, Carr’s term is protected until the end of the next presidential administration, which provides him with institutional independence and allows him to pursue his own policies even in conditions of political polarization.