Federal Communications Commissioner Gomez says connectivity and spectrum are her top priorities

Federal Communications Commissioner Anna Gomez, who joined the agency in September 2023, said that her top priorities for the FCC include setting the stage for vibrant competition and promoting connectivity for every consumer. Key to that connectivity is making spectrum available, which the Commissioner said is an area of top importance. Commissioner Gomez outlined her key priorities during a wide-ranging Fireside Chat with Brad Bernthal, executive director of the University of Colorado’s Silicon Flatirons conference. She touted the White House’s National Spectrum Strategy, which was released in November 2023 in coordination with the National Telecommunications and Information Administration and the FCC. The goal is to identify more spectrum that could be available for new uses and requires input from other agencies. Another area of particular concern for Commissioner Gomez is the potential end of the Affordable Connectivity Program, which offers a $30 per month broadband subsidy to around 23 million U.S. consumers. The program is slated to run out of money in April, which is likely to result in a wave of disconnects.