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Ajit Pai, former chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, has joined private equity firm Searchlight Capital Partners as a partner.

Why it matters: Pai, who was an FCC commissioner before former President Trump picked him as chair, is best known for telecom deregulation efforts, including the repeal of net neutrality rules. Searchlight has several portfolio companies in the media and telecom space, including Univision, Uniti and Ziply Fiber.

Trump FCC chair Ajit Pai joins private equity firm

Pai is best known for the repeal of net neutrality rules.

Ajit Pai testifying in front of the U.S. Senate.

Ajit Pai during U.S. Senate testimony in 2020. Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Image.

Ajit V. Pai

Ajit Pai, former chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, has joined private equity firm Searchlight Capital Partners as a partner.Why it matters: Pai, who was an FCC commissioner before former President Trump picked him as chair, is best known for telecom deregulation efforts, including the repeal of net neutrality rules. Searchlight has several portfolio companies in the media and telecom space, including Univision, Uniti and Ziply Fiber.

From the Valley to D.C., Big Tech players like Facebook, Google and Amazon are under more scrutiny than ever as new technology develops and privacy and antitrust concerns grow in lockstep with companies’ ambitions.

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Trump FCC chair Ajit Pai joins private equity firm

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