Special Report Reviews Triumphs, Disappointments of Wheeler-Led FCC

This Communications Daily Special Report, "Assessing Wheeler's Legacy," shows how the FCC under Chairman Tom Wheeler has operated, controversies, plaudits and all. Subscribers also can now access these seven stories online at www.communicationsdaily.com.

The federal telecom regulator under Wheeler, chairman since Nov. 4, 2013, has often been called the most partisan ever, as documented in a previous Communications Daily Special Report, "A Portrait of the FCC in a Partisan Era." In Howard Buskirk's new story (see 1608220067), he reports that Wheeler contributes to partisanship by rarely backing down. As Buskirk reports, Republican Commissioners Ajit Pai and Mike O'Rielly usually don't back down, either.

The FCC doesn't have to be politically divided, state telecom commissioners of both parties tell Adam Bender (see 1608230009). They said the federal commission -- and Wheeler -- could learn a lot about bipartisanship by looking at the state equivalents, where party-line fights are rare. The state commissioners also say their agencies are more transparent. Some cited Wheeler's alleged behind-the-scenes moves to kill a bipartisan compromise on funding the Lifeline USF program for low-income people to get broadband and not just phone service.

Frequent Wheeler sparring partner O'Rielly sees some reason for optimism, giving Wheeler credit for progress in making clear that other commissioners can publicly discuss draft items under FCC consideration, report David Kaut and John Hendel (see 1608220003). But members of Congress overseeing the commission continue to scrutinize process issues and question whether Wheeler played a role in a leak that Republicans say undermined the Lifeline budget talks.

Transparency suffers at the FCC under Wheeler, as the agency routinely releases regulatory and other items after its own business hours, experts tell Jonathan Make (see 1608040026). Only one other commission exceeds the FCC in regularity of late issuances, Make's database found. But even critics say the FCC has long engaged in such practices, not just under the current chief.

Many are happy with the FCC, reports Matt Daneman (see 1608230001). The agency compares well with some others in efficiently handling large volumes of rulemakings, while giving itself flexibility to not always stick to the same procedures that can hamstring other commissions, communications lawyers said.

As Wheeler's tenure may end when President Barack Obama leaves office Jan. 20, the FCC chairman has gotten much accomplished, reports Monty Tayloe (see 1608230027). Even so, Tayloe reports, Wheeler upset some by switching tack, in some cases as with net neutrality after the White House advocated a certain path.

On cybersecurity, a focus of the FCC under Wheeler, his legacy already is the subject of much debate, reports Jimm Phillips (see 1608230021). Stakeholders praised the FCC leader's legacy on addressing cybersecurity, while warning that controversial net neutrality rules will only muddle industry's and commission's roles.

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