Sign up for our daily briefing
Make your busy days simpler with Axios AM/PM. Catch up on what's new and why it matters in just 5 minutes.
Catch up on coronavirus stories and special reports, curated by Mike Allen everyday
Catch up on coronavirus stories and special reports, curated by Mike Allen everyday
Denver news in your inbox
Catch up on the most important stories affecting your hometown with Axios Denver
Des Moines news in your inbox
Catch up on the most important stories affecting your hometown with Axios Des Moines
Minneapolis-St. Paul news in your inbox
Catch up on the most important stories affecting your hometown with Axios Twin Cities
Tampa Bay news in your inbox
Catch up on the most important stories affecting your hometown with Axios Tampa Bay
Charlotte news in your inbox
Catch up on the most important stories affecting your hometown with Axios Charlotte
AP Photo/Susan Walsh, File
As the most senior Republican Commissioner on the panel, Ajit Pai had been the front-runner for the chairmanship, and he had the support of key advisors on the Trump transition team.
What it means: Pai has said he wants to take a "weed-wacker" to regulation, and net neutrality is at the top of his list. He'll also likely roll back privacy regulations, loosen media ownership rules and take a relatively hands-off approach to merger reviews. Find a look at his stances on the issues here.
Good news for big telecom players: Pai's views on telecom policy largely align with those of major telecom providers such as AT&T, Verizon and Comcast, which have vocally opposed net neutrality rules and other regulation of broadband services. US Telecom, which represents many large providers, said in a statement that it shares the strategy "to erase the many regulatory barriers impeding the expansion" of communication networks.
Bad news for edge providers: Supporters and beneficiaries of net neutrality rules, such as web start-ups and larger players such as Netflix and Google, are worried Pai will take a draconian de-regulatory approach. Public Knowledge, a consumer interest group, quickly called out Pai's "history of attacking consumer protections," and urged him to focus on driving down prices and expanding choices.