- FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler has announced that he will leave the agency on Jan. 20, concurrent with the incoming Trump administration.
- “Serving as F.C.C. Chairman during this period of historic technological change has been the greatest honor of my professional life," he says in a statement.
- "It has been a privilege to work with my fellow Commissioners to help protect consumers, strengthen public safety and cybersecurity, and ensure fast, fair and open networks for all Americans.”
- Wheeler's departure likely paves the way for Republican leadership of the agency, and may be welcomed by companies opposed to reforms he was pushing: in set-top boxes for pay TV, and in business data services.
- Key BDS players: T, VZ, CTL, FTR, BT.
- Pay TV/set-top players: CMCSA, CHTR, CVC/OTCPK:OTCPK:ATCEY, T, DISH, VZ, FTR, CTL