How a former lobbyist became the broadband industry’s worst nightmare

When President Barack Obama nominated Tom Wheeler to lead the Federal Communications Commission in May 2013, there was widespread concern the new Chairman would push the interests of telecommunications companies instead of standing up for the American people. After all, Chairman Wheeler had been the top lobbyist for both the cable and cell phone industries, having worked for the National Cable Television Association (NCTA) from 1976 to 1984 and the Cellular Telecommunications & Internet Association (CTIA) from 1992 to 2004. Though he had left those jobs years before, people wondered if a former lobbyist would properly regulate the industries he once represented. Meanwhile, the companies Chairman Wheeler would regulate applauded President Obama’s choice. AT&T called the nomination an “inspired pick,” while Comcast praised Chairman Wheeler for his “proven leadership.” Three years later, Chairman Wheeler is being cheered by consumer advocates even as he is reviled by many Internet service providers (ISPs) and their Republican supporters in Congress.

With his 3-2 Democratic majority at the FCC, Chairman Wheeler blocked Comcast’s attempt to buy Time Warner Cable, demanded a $100 million fine from AT&T related to throttling of unlimited data, and put the entire fixed and mobile broadband industry under a stricter regulatory regime using the FCC's Title II common carrier authority. Both the NCTA and CTIA have sued the FCC to overturn the common carrier and net neutrality rules. But while Chairman Wheeler surprised many outside observers, he didn’t surprise himself. “My history has always been working with the insurgent, not the incumbent,” Chairman Wheeler said. “I have always been the guy coming up the side of the hill, rather than the guy on the top of the hill pushing boulders down to stop them.”