FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler Says He Represents the People, Not the Tech Industry

When Tom Wheeler was named in May to lead the Federal Communications Commission, some consumer groups fretted that the former cable- and wireless-industry lobbyist would favor industry over individuals. Chairman Wheeler insists that won’t be the case. “My client today is the American people, and I am going to be the most effective advocate they could hope for,” he said.

At the same time, Chairman Wheeler said that he is also very proud of his time spent representing industry groups. “I was (involved in) the early days of cable television when everybody was trying to squash it; I was a champion for a diversity of voices and the competition that represented,” he said. “I’m very proud of that period, but it was 30 years ago that I was in in cable, and 10 years ago that I was in wireless.”

In forming decisions, Chairman Wheeler said he will view issues through three lenses. Firsthe will look at whether a proposed move is good for competition. Second, actions should maintain the compact of trust between those who run networks and those who use them. Third, opening up high-speed networks isn’t enough -- the content needs to be open and accessible to all.