Bulletins

Ajit Pai to step down as FCC chair Jan. 20

Pai's five-year term wasn't set to end until July 2021.

Ajit Pai

Pai will depart the FCC on Jan. 20.

Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

The chairman announced his decision to leave his post before the end of his term in a statement, saying it has "been the honor of a lifetime" to serve in that role. "To be the first Asian-American to chair the FCC has been a particular privilege," Pai wrote. "As I often say: only in America."

In his statement, Pai listed what he believes are some of the agency's signature accomplishments during his tenure, including "closing the digital divide; promoting innovation and competition, from 5G on the ground to broadband from space; protecting consumers; and advancing public safety."

Pai has been a controversial figure in tech circles for his decision to roll back net neutrality protections and his crackdown on subsidies to get low-income people connected to the internet. His departure comes at a time when students across the country are being left out of remote learning due to a lack of devices or internet connection or both.

While it's not unusual for agency heads to step down after a new president assumes office, Pai's five-year term wasn't set to end until July 2021.

Read more about the likely candidates to take his place under President-elect Biden's administration.

 Issie Lapowsky

Issie Lapowsky ( @issielapowsky) is Protocol's chief correspondent, covering the intersection of technology, politics, and national affairs. She also oversees Protocol's fellowship program. Previously, she was a senior writer at Wired, where she covered the 2016 election and the Facebook beat in its aftermath. Prior to that, Issie worked as a staff writer for Inc. magazine, writing about small business and entrepreneurship. She has also worked as an on-air contributor for CBS News and taught a graduate-level course at New York University's Center for Publishing on how tech giants have affected publishing.

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