2024 in Review: A Note from FCC Chairwoman Rosenworcel

On December 31, 2024, Federal Communications Commission Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel released a note reflecting on the agency's work over the course of 2024. "The end of the year is always a time for reflection," Chairwoman Rosenworcel said. "That’s especially true for me in 2024 as my service at the Federal Communications Commission is coming to a close. It has been the honor of a lifetime to serve in this role and a special privilege to be the first woman confirmed to do so." The Chairwoman categorized her time at the FCC into five core values:

• Making communications available to all, including managing the Affordable Connectivity Program, expanding E-Rate rules to include wifi hotspots and encouraging Tribal participation, updating the National Broadband Map, and reigniting the 5G Fund for Rural America;
• Making communications more just for more people in more places, which encompasses the introduction of the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, the establishment of a new alert code for Missing and Endangered Persons, the expansion of efforts to protect domestic violence survivors, and the implementation of the Martha Wright-Reed Just and Reasonable Communications Act;
• Protecting consumers, including combatting unwanted texts and AI-generated robocalls, launching a formal proceeding to review the quality of support that internet service providers give their customers, and kicking off a formal inquiry into providers’ use of data caps on consumer broadband services;
• Putting national security and safety front and center by assisting with hurricane recovery efforts and other disasters, adopting rules to expedite the transition to Next Generation 911, expanding access to spectrum in 4.9 GHz band for first responders, and adopting the framework for a new voluntary cybersecurity labeling program for wireless Internet of Things products, among other items; and
• Leaning into the future through actions such as those by the new FCC Space Bureau, by opening up spectrum to new uses and technologies, and raising the National broadband speed benchmark to 100 Megabits up and 20 Megabits down and setting a long-term goal of 1 Gigabits to meet the growing needs of connectivity across the country.