Tom Wheeler Explained

Tom Wheeler should not be confused with Tim Wheeler.

Tom Wheeler
Office:Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission
President:Barack Obama
Term Start:November 4, 2013
Term End:January 20, 2017
Predecessor:Julius Genachowski
Successor:Ajit Pai
Party:Democratic
Birth Name:Thomas Edgar Wheeler
Birth Date:5 April 1946
Birth Place:Redlands, California, U.S.
Education:Ohio State University (BA)

Thomas Edgar Wheeler (born April 5, 1946)[1] is an American businessman and former government official. A member of the Democratic Party, he served as the 31st Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission.[2] [3]

He was appointed by President Barack Obama and confirmed by the U.S. Senate in November 2013.[4] Prior to working at the FCC, Wheeler worked as a venture capitalist and lobbyist for the cable and wireless industry, whom the FCC is now responsible for regulating, and holding positions including President of the National Cable & Telecommunications Association (NCTA) and CEO of the Cellular Telecommunications & Internet Association (CTIA). As was customary for the FCC chairman, Wheeler resigned his seat when the new administration of Donald Trump began on January 20, 2017, and was succeeded by Ajit Pai.[5] [6]

Career

Wheeler was born on April 5, 1946, in Redlands, California. He attended The Ohio State University.[7] From 1969 to 1976, Wheeler led the trade group Grocery Manufacturers of America.[8] He then went on to work at the National Cable & Telecommunications Association from 1976 to 1984, becoming president of the trade group in 1979. For a year until its closure, Wheeler was president of NABU Network, before spending a number of years creating or running several different technology startups. In 1992, he became the CEO of the Cellular Telecommunications & Internet Association, a post he held until 2004.[9] From 2005 Wheeler was a technology entrepreneur and executive at Core Capital Partners.[10] [11]

Originally considered a frontrunner for the position, Wheeler was confirmed as the new Federal Communications Commission chief in November 2013[12] following a confirmation hearing before the United States Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.[13] Despite a letter written by several prominent former Obama administration officials endorsing Wheeler for the position, many people expressed concern over the consideration of Wheeler for the position due to his history of lobbying for industry.

In recognition of his work in promoting the wireless industry, Wheeler was inducted into the Wireless Hall of Fame in 2003 and in 2009, as a result of his work in promoting the growth and prosperity of the cable television industry and its stakeholders, was inducted into the Cable Television Hall of Fame.[9] [14] [15] He is the only person who is a member of both halls of fame.[10] Cablevision magazine named Wheeler one of the 20 most influential individuals in its history during cable's 20th anniversary in 1995.[9]

During Barack Obama's 2008 presidential campaign, Wheeler spent six weeks in Iowa aiding his campaign efforts and went on to raise over US$500,000 for Obama's campaigns.[16] [17]

In October 2022, Wheeler joined the Council for Responsible Social Media project launched by Issue One to address the negative mental, civic, and public health impacts of social media in the United States co-chaired by former House Democratic Caucus Leader Dick Gephardt and former Massachusetts Lieutenant Governor Kerry Healey.[18] [19]

Net neutrality

In late April 2014, the contours of a document leaked that indicated that the FCC under Wheeler would consider announcing rules that would violate net neutrality principles by making it easier for companies to pay ISPs (including cable companies and wireless ISPs) to provide faster "lanes" for delivering their content to Internet users.[20] These plans received substantial backlash from activists, the mainstream press, and some other FCC commissioners.[21] [22] In May 2014, over 100 Internet companies—including Google, Microsoft, eBay, and Facebook—signed a letter to Wheeler voicing their disagreement with his plans, saying they represented a "grave threat to the Internet".[23] As of May 15, 2014, the "Internet fast lane" rules passed with a 3–2 vote. They were then open to public discussion that ended July 2014.[24]

In November 2014, President Obama gave a speech endorsing the classification of ISPs as utilities under Title II of the Communications Act of 1934.[25] Wheeler stated in January 2015 that the FCC was "going to propose rules that say no blocking, no throttling, no paid prioritization" at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.[26] [27] On January 31, 2015, the Associated Press reported the FCC will present the notion of applying ("with some caveats") Title II (common carrier) of the Communications Act of 1934 to the Internet in a vote expected on February 26, 2015.[28] [29] [30] [31] [32] Adoption of this notion would reclassify Internet service from one of information to one of telecommunications[33] and, according to Wheeler, ensure US net neutrality.[34] [35] The FCC was expected to enforce net neutrality in its vote, according to the New York Times.[36] [37]

On February 26, 2015, the FCC ruled in favor of net neutrality by applying Title II of the Communications Act of 1934 and Section 706 of the Telecommunications act of 1996 to the Internet.[38] [39] [40] Wheeler commented, "This is no more a plan to regulate the Internet than the First Amendment is a plan to regulate free speech. They both stand for the same concept."[41] [42] On March 12, 2015, the FCC released the specific details of the net neutrality rules.[43] [44] [45] On April 13, 2015, the FCC published the final rule on its new "Net Neutrality" regulations.[46] [47] [48]

Critics said that Wheeler was unduly influenced by Obama in changing his stance on net neutrality. In addition, journalists and advocates have expressed concern regarding the potential for inappropriate involvement by the White House over rule making at the FCC, which is supposed to be an independent agency.[49] During a House Oversight Committee hearing in March 2015, Republicans disclosed that Wheeler had secretly met with top aides at the White House nine times while the new rules were being formulated. Wheeler responded that the new rules had not been discussed during the meetings. This prompted the committee chairman to state, "You meet with the White House multiple times … and we're supposed to believe that one of the most important things the FCC has ever done, that this doesn't come up?"[50]

Bibliography

Notes and References

  1. Web site: July 26, 2000 . Oral Histories: Thomas Wheeler . July 12, 2024 . Syndeo Institute at The Cable Center .
  2. News: Wheeler . Tom . Tom Wheeler . How the Republicans Sold Your Privacy to Internet Providers . March 29, 2017 . . March 29, 2017 .
  3. News: The Editorial Board . Republicans Attack Internet Privacy . March 29, 2017 . . March 29, 2017 .
  4. Web site: Presidential Nominations Sent to the Senate. May 9, 2013. National Archives. whitehouse.gov. December 30, 2014.
  5. Web site: FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler to resign. Allen Cone. United Press International. December 15, 2016. January 31, 2017.
  6. News: Tom Wheeler: The open internet's unlikely defender. CNET. June 13, 2017. en.
  7. News: FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler Makes the Call, Takes the Flak . April 24, 2014 . May 8, 2014 . Gautham . Nagesh . The Wall Street Journal.
  8. Book: Blue Skies: A History of Cable Television. Patrick Parsons. April 5, 2008. Temple University Press. 377.
  9. News: Always Ahead of the Curve.(Core Capital Partners managing director Tom Wheeler) . https://web.archive.org/web/20140611141148/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-210512778.html . dead . June 11, 2014 . October 26, 2009 . May 8, 2014 . K.C. . Neel . Multichannel News . HighBeam .
  10. Tom Wheeler, Former Lobbyist and Obama Fundraiser, Tapped to Lead FCC . May 2, 2013 . May 8, 2014 . Sam . Gustin . TIME.
  11. Web site: Net neutrality advocate Tom Wheeler stepping down as FCC chairman. Lovelace. Berkeley Jr.. . December 15, 2016. June 13, 2017.
  12. Web site: Tom Wheeler confirmed as new FCC chief . November 2, 2013 . May 8, 2014 . Roy . Blanchard . Tech Times.
  13. https://purl.fdlp.gov/GPO/gpo59059 Nomination of Thomas E. Wheeler to be Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission: Hearing before the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, United States Senate, One Hundred Thirteenth Congress, First Session, June 18, 2013
  14. Web site: Tom Wheeler 2009 Cable Hall of Fame Honoree . July 12, 2024 . Syndeo Institute at The Cable Center.
  15. Web site: Tom Wheeler . May 8, 2014 . Wireless History Foundation.
  16. Tom Wheeler, Former Lobbyist and Obama Loyalist, Seen as FCC Frontrunner . April 16, 2013 . May 8, 2014 . TIME . Sam . Gustin.
  17. News: Obama to appoint cable industry lobbyist Tom Wheeler as FCC head . May 1, 2013 . May 8, 2014 . The Guardian.
  18. News: Feiner. Lauren. October 12, 2022. Facebook whistleblower, former defense and intel officials form group to fix social media. CNBC. October 12, 2022.
  19. Web site: Council for Responsible Social Media – Issue One. issueone.org. October 12, 2022.
  20. News: F.C.C., in a shift, backs fast lanes for web traffic . April 23, 2014 . May 8, 2014 . Edward . Wyatt . New York Times.
  21. Web site: NYT blasts net neutrality proposal . Julian . Hattem . The Hill . April 25, 2014 . May 8, 2014.
  22. Net Neutrality: FCC Boss Smacked by Tech Giants, Internal Dissent . May 7, 2014 . May 8, 2014 . Sam . Gustin . TIME.
  23. News: Internet Companies, Two FCC Commissioners Disagree With Proposed Broadband Regulations . May 7, 2014 . May 8, 2014 . Gautham . Nagesh . Wall Street Journal.
  24. FCC Votes to Move Forward on Internet 'Fast Lane' . Edwards . Haley Sweetland . May 15, 2014 . . May 20, 2014.
  25. https://finance.yahoo.com/news/wheeler-obama-didnt-influence-net-142013191.html Wheeler: Obama didn't influence net neutrality vote
  26. http://www.dallasnews.com/business/headlines/20150107-fcc-head-plans-to-heed-obama-blueprint-to-ban-web-fast-lanes.ece FCC Head Plans to Heed Obama Blueprint to Ban Web Fast Lanes
  27. https://arstechnica.com/business/2015/01/title-ii-for-internet-providers-is-all-but-confirmed-by-fcc-chairman/ Title II for Internet providers is all but confirmed by FCC chairman
  28. News: Lohr . Steve . In Net Neutrality Push, F.C.C. Is Expected to Propose Regulating Internet Service as a Utility . February 2, 2015 . . February 2, 2015.
  29. News: Lohr . Steve . F.C.C. Chief Wants to Override State Laws Curbing Community Net Services . February 2, 2015 . . February 2, 2015.
  30. News: Flaherty . Anne . Just whose Internet is it? New federal rules may answer that . January 31, 2015 . . January 31, 2015.
  31. News: Fung . Brian . Get ready: The FCC says it will vote on net neutrality in February . January 2, 2015 . . January 2, 2015.
  32. News: FCC to vote next month on net neutrality rules . January 2, 2015 . . January 2, 2015.
  33. News: Lohr . Steve . F.C.C. Plans Strong Hand to Regulate the Internet . February 4, 2015 . . February 5, 2015.
  34. Wheeler . Tom . Tom Wheeler . FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler: This Is How We Will Ensure Net Neutrality . February 4, 2015 . . February 5, 2015.
  35. News: The Editorial Board . Courage and Good Sense at the F.C.C. - Net Neutrality's Wise New Rules . February 6, 2015 . . February 6, 2015.
  36. News: Weisman . Jonathan . As Republicans Concede, F.C.C. Is Expected to Enforce Net Neutrality . February 24, 2015 . . February 24, 2015.
  37. News: Lohr . Steve . The Push for Net Neutrality Arose From Lack of Choice . February 25, 2015 . . February 25, 2015.
  38. News: FCC Adopts Strong, Sustainable Rules To Protect The Open Internet . February 26, 2015 . . February 26, 2015.
  39. News: Ruiz . Rebecca R. . Lohr . Steve . In Net Neutrality Victory, F.C.C. Classifies Broadband Internet Service as a Public Utility . February 26, 2015 . . February 26, 2015.
  40. News: Flaherty . Anne . FACT CHECK: Talking heads skew 'net neutrality' debate . February 25, 2015 . . February 26, 2015.
  41. News: Liebelson . Dana . Net Neutrality Prevails In Historic FCC Vote . February 26, 2015 . . February 26, 2015.
  42. News: The Internet has lots of problems but net neutrality isn't the most pressing. Bennett. Richard. MIT Technology Review. June 13, 2017. en.
  43. News: Ruiz . Rebecca R. . F.C.C. Sets Net Neutrality Rules . March 12, 2015 . . March 13, 2015.
  44. News: Sommer . Jeff . What the Net Neutrality Rules Say . March 12, 2015 . . March 13, 2015.
  45. Web site: Federal Communications Commission – FCC 15-24 – In the Matter of Protecting and Promoting the Open Internet – GN Docket No. 14-28 – Report and Order on Remand, Declaratory Ruling, and Order . March 12, 2015 . . March 13, 2015.
  46. Web site: Reisinger . Don . Net neutrality rules get published -- let the lawsuits begin . April 13, 2015 . . April 13, 2015.
  47. Web site: Federal Communications Commission . Federal Communications Commission . Protecting and Promoting the Open Internet – A Rule by the Federal Communications Commission on 04/13/2015 . April 13, 2015 . . April 13, 2015.
  48. News: Why you should support net neutrality. San Francisco Chronicle. June 13, 2017.
  49. News: Hattem . Julian . FCC head has no answer for FOIA redactions . March 17, 2015 . The Hill . March 11, 2016.
  50. News: Hattem . Julian . Republicans confront FCC chief about secret White House meetings . March 17, 2015 . The Hill . March 11, 2016.

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