Senate schedules Wheeler hearing

The Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee will hold a hearing on President Obama’s Federal Communications Commission chair nominee, Tom Wheeler, on Tuesday, June 18.

Senators from both parties are expected to ask Wheeler a number of critical questions.

• Does Wheeler think broadband should be included in regulated communications, in order to protect an open internet?
• Does he still believe, as he wrote in 2011, that mergers such as the proposed AT&T/T-Mobile combination should have been approved with greater regulation of the wireless industry?
• Should the FCC limit the amount of spectrum that AT&T and Verizon can buy in the scheduled auction?
• How can the FCC promote and protect media diversity and ensure minority ownership of media outlets?
• How can the FCC stimulate investment in truly high-speed broadband?

According to The Hill, “Other controversial topics, such as the FCC's indecency rules and its Lifeline phone subsidy, are also likely to come up.”

And, Speed Matters hopes that senators will ask him how he will promote quality jobs in the telecom industry.

Senate plans hearing on FCC pick (The Hill, Jun 11, 2013)