Today, Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Tom Wheeler announced his plans to step down from the agency on January 20, 2017. The following statement can be attributed to Engine Executive Director Evan Engstrom:
“In his time at the helm of the FCC, Chairman Tom Wheeler has been a tireless champion for startups and innovators everywhere, and Engine is grateful for his service. Enacting some of the strongest net neutrality rules in the world through the Open Internet Order would by itself have marked Chairman Wheeler as the most pro-startup FCC chief in history, but his work on behalf of innovators went far beyond that. He made expanding Internet access a top priority, promoted local broadband competition despite strong opposition from powerful incumbents, and fought to open up new markets long closed to startups. While thousands of startups are better off today because of Chairman Wheeler’s work, it is the next generation of startups that will most benefit from his forward-thinking policies. We look forward to continuing our work to defend the important legacy that Chairman Wheeler leaves behind and wish him the best in his future endeavors.”
