2025 marked a dramatic shift at the FCC under Chairman Brendan Carr, who took office following President Trump's inauguration. The year emphasized deregulation, infrastructure acceleration, national security, and innovation in broadcasting, wireless, and space sectors.
Key initiatives included the "Delete, Delete, Delete" proceeding, which eliminated over 1,100 obsolete rules, and the Build America Agenda, focused on high-speed infrastructure and spectrum expansion.
Major Deregulatory Push
- Launched the largest deregulation effort in FCC history ("In Re: Delete, Delete, Delete"), eliminating or proposing to eliminate 1,108 rules, 134,928 words, and 312 pages of the Code of Federal Regulations.
- Terminated a record 2,048 inactive dockets, rescinded Biden-era initiatives, and ended DEI-related programs (e.g., advisory groups, equity plans).
- Cut over $567 million in contract spending and streamlined operations for efficiency.
Broadcasting and Media Ownership Reforms
- Vacated the Top-4 TV ownership prohibition (via court ruling), enabling more local TV mergers.
- Advanced the 2022 Quadrennial Review of ownership rules, seeking comments on relaxing local radio/TV limits and dual network restrictions amid digital competition.
- Liberalized NextGen TV (ATSC 3.0) rules to accelerate deployment, including flexible simulcasting and lighthouse signals.
- Approved mergers like Paramount-Skydance with conditions on viewpoint diversity and launched investigations into network-affiliate relations.
Spectrum and Wireless Leadership
- Restored auction authority via legislation, planning auctions like AWS-3 (June 2026) and Upper C-band (by July 2027).
- Proposed auctioning 100-180 MHz in Upper C-band for 5G/6G and broadband.
- Advanced 6G through TAC reports and spectrum pipeline goals (800 MHz by 2034).
National Security and Other Priorities
- Added foreign-made drones/components to the Covered List.
- Strengthened satellite processing (cut backlogs by half) and streamlined rules.
- Focused on consumer protections (e.g., robocall rules) and public safety.
Overall, 2025 positioned the FCC as a pro-innovation, deregulatory force, prioritizing U.S. leadership in wireless, space, and broadcasting while reducing burdens. Challenges included ongoing debates over consolidation's impact on localism and diversity.