Hope we get it back to our special coverage of Milkin. And please to say that the chair of the US Federal Communications Commission, Brendan Carr, joined us right now. Brendan, great to see you here. I know you've been making the grounds. You had a panel here. Everyone right now wants to know what the SCC's role is right now in the broader policies, particularly when it comes to infrastructure being rolled out by the White House.

Hope we get it back to our special coverage of Milkin. And please to say that the chair of the US Federal Communications Commission, Brendan Carr, joined us right now. Brendan, great to see you here. I know you've been making the grounds. You had a panel here. Everyone right now wants to know what the SCC's role is right now in the broader policies, particularly when it comes to infrastructure being rolled out by the White House.

Yeah, thanks for if.

Yeah, thanks for if.

President Trump has been very clear he wants to unleash America's private sector to build again. If you look back the last four years, so many infrastructure projects got bogged down in dreams of red tape. We saw it with this forty two billion dollar Internet infrastructure plan that went nowhere.

President Trump has been very clear he wants to unleash America's private sector to build again. If you look back the last four years, so many infrastructure projects got bogged down in dreams of red tape. We saw it with this forty two billion dollar Internet infrastructure plan that went nowhere.

And so we've directed us to deregulate.

And so we've directed us to deregulate.

In fact, we've engaged in the most massive deregulation effort at the FEC that we've ever done.

In fact, we've engaged in the most massive deregulation effort at the FEC that we've ever done.

It's underway right now. We've closed and looking to close two thousand.

It's underway right now. We've closed and looking to close two thousand.

Dockets that have been opened. But probably the most important thing we can do for the economy right now is spectrum. These are the airways that your smartphones use. We made a lot of progress. I thought they're in the first Trump administration. We fell behind a little bit during Biden. We need to do hundreds of megaherts out in the marketplace. That's deflationary, is going to drive down prices for consumers, is being pro competitive too?

Dockets that have been opened. But probably the most important thing we can do for the economy right now is spectrum. These are the airways that your smartphones use. We made a lot of progress. I thought they're in the first Trump administration. We fell behind a little bit during Biden. We need to do hundreds of megaherts out in the marketplace. That's deflationary, is going to drive down prices for consumers, is being pro competitive too?

Those dockets, I mean, what actually accelerated that? What was the outcome?

Those dockets, I mean, what actually accelerated that? What was the outcome?

Yeah, So right now we're targeting all of those, we're seeking comment on it. We've already closed over one hundred dockets. We're doing a massive.

Yeah, So right now we're targeting all of those, we're seeking comment on it. We've already closed over one hundred dockets. We're doing a massive.

Deregulation initiative, and permitting reform is so key.

Deregulation initiative, and permitting reform is so key.

You know, we have these rules on the books that force broadband providers like AT and T to invest billions of dollars in old copper line networks or we're taking a fresh look at that so they can move that investment over to high speed IP networks. So it's effectively moving billions of dollars of capital into new net network. So these are some of the economic agendas that we're running.

You know, we have these rules on the books that force broadband providers like AT and T to invest billions of dollars in old copper line networks or we're taking a fresh look at that so they can move that investment over to high speed IP networks. So it's effectively moving billions of dollars of capital into new net network. So these are some of the economic agendas that we're running.

At the agency. So what was the timeline and all of this it's a lot.

At the agency. So what was the timeline and all of this it's a lot.

To get through, But what is the timeline that you guys are looking at?

To get through, But what is the timeline that you guys are looking at?

It is our direction is move on Trump speeds that we're moving very quickly. In the first hundred days.

It is our direction is move on Trump speeds that we're moving very quickly. In the first hundred days.

Already, we've taken action across many.

Already, we've taken action across many.

Of these fronts.

Of these fronts.

Also, national security, we set up a new Council on National Security at the FCC. We're making sure that we're not vulnerable to threats that come from communist China.

Also, national security, we set up a new Council on National Security at the FCC. We're making sure that we're not vulnerable to threats that come from communist China.

For instance.

For instance.

We're looking at making sure that people can make and manufacture things here in the US as well.

We're looking at making sure that people can make and manufacture things here in the US as well.

So we're running a economic agenda. Wh're pretty proud of it when you're.

So we're running a economic agenda. Wh're pretty proud of it when you're.

Hearing from members of the telecom community about what they can do in terms of manufacturing here in the United States.

Hearing from members of the telecom community about what they can do in terms of manufacturing here in the United States.

Yeah, there's a lot we can do.

Yeah, there's a lot we can do.

For instance, no piece of electronics can be used in the US unless it's tested in a lab. But so far as seventy five percent of those testings take place inside China.

For instance, no piece of electronics can be used in the US unless it's tested in a lab. But so far as seventy five percent of those testings take place inside China.

So we're looking at steps we can do to resure a.

So we're looking at steps we can do to resure a.

Lot of that testing as well, and that'll help.

Lot of that testing as well, and that'll help.

Give US manufacturers a boost.

Give US manufacturers a boost.

How long would it take to do that, you know.

How long would it take to do that, you know.

I think it can be pretty short order.

I think it can be pretty short order.

We already have some of that testing here already, so we're taking steps to sort of further do it.

We already have some of that testing here already, so we're taking steps to sort of further do it.

But these are just you know, parts of.

But these are just you know, parts of.

The pieces we're running at the FCC, it's a really important agenda. Again, We've got to unleash America's private sector.

The pieces we're running at the FCC, it's a really important agenda. Again, We've got to unleash America's private sector.

They were held back.

They were held back.

Too long by different red tapes and regulations permiting reform. Again, as I mentioned, a lot of state and local regulations still slow down internet builds.

Too long by different red tapes and regulations permiting reform. Again, as I mentioned, a lot of state and local regulations still slow down internet builds.

There's a role for the FC to step in there and help clear the way.

There's a role for the FC to step in there and help clear the way.

But spectrum permitting reform, deregulation, that's the driving agenda at the FCC.

But spectrum permitting reform, deregulation, that's the driving agenda at the FCC.

I think it's gonna be great for the economy.

I think it's gonna be great for the economy.

How unified is this approach from the administration. We had the Director of the White House Office of Science and Technology on a little bit earlier. He obviously talked a lot about reclaiming of the US's lead and technology relative to the rest of the world, particularly when it comes to AI. Is the FCC a.

How unified is this approach from the administration. We had the Director of the White House Office of Science and Technology on a little bit earlier. He obviously talked a lot about reclaiming of the US's lead and technology relative to the rest of the world, particularly when it comes to AI. Is the FCC a.

Part of that, Yeah, for sure.

Part of that, Yeah, for sure.

Look, President Trump was put together just an all star team, particularly this second administration. Everybody is fully aligned. They're executing the president's agenda. You mentioned AI. I mean that's going to be the use case that's going to drive some of these telecom networks. That's how we have to get more spectrum out or that's all we have to make it easier to invest in these new high speed networks.

Look, President Trump was put together just an all star team, particularly this second administration. Everybody is fully aligned. They're executing the president's agenda. You mentioned AI. I mean that's going to be the use case that's going to drive some of these telecom networks. That's how we have to get more spectrum out or that's all we have to make it easier to invest in these new high speed networks.

When you look at the data.

When you look at the data.

Demands of AI, you know, data generally is going up, but AI is going to increase through the roof.

Demands of AI, you know, data generally is going up, but AI is going to increase through the roof.

Where do we stand though, on spectrum? Because I've heard that before. What's out there? And even though some of the spectrum that has been released over the last few years there have been some concerns that they might be causing in appearance, particularly with some of the recent incidents that we've had in aviation. Here can that sort of coexists altogether?

Where do we stand though, on spectrum? Because I've heard that before. What's out there? And even though some of the spectrum that has been released over the last few years there have been some concerns that they might be causing in appearance, particularly with some of the recent incidents that we've had in aviation. Here can that sort of coexists altogether?

Yeah, Look, you know, thankfully President Trump is a playbook on this. In twenty seventeen, we had fallen far behind China. He stepped up and said, look, I want to lead in five, I want to.

Yeah, Look, you know, thankfully President Trump is a playbook on this. In twenty seventeen, we had fallen far behind China. He stepped up and said, look, I want to lead in five, I want to.

Lead in sixty.

Lead in sixty.

Who cleared hundreds of megahertz of spectrum? We fell behind China. The reality is we are falling behind China right now. But we have the playbook. President Trump is going to step in. We're working right now. Chairman Ted Cruz and the Senate is working hard to get spectrum across the finish line.

Who cleared hundreds of megahertz of spectrum? We fell behind China. The reality is we are falling behind China right now. But we have the playbook. President Trump is going to step in. We're working right now. Chairman Ted Cruz and the Senate is working hard to get spectrum across the finish line.

We can put it in reconciliation and.

We can put it in reconciliation and.

That's going to help pay for a lot of the efforts that people want to do in there. It's going to be eighty billion dollars or more to be raised if we start auctioning this spectrum.

That's going to help pay for a lot of the efforts that people want to do in there. It's going to be eighty billion dollars or more to be raised if we start auctioning this spectrum.

Off cheer card.

Off cheer card.

What does this do for people who really don't have access when it comes to telecommunications, are rural areas we have so much of this post pandemic. Everyone has talked about helping these areos for a long time. How do you actually help those Americans?

What does this do for people who really don't have access when it comes to telecommunications, are rural areas we have so much of this post pandemic. Everyone has talked about helping these areos for a long time. How do you actually help those Americans?

Yeah, there's a couple things we're doing there.

Yeah, there's a couple things we're doing there.

When we get more spectrum out that will bring people across the digital divide, will give people more competitive options. But also think about this new generation of low worth orbit satellites, whether it's Starlink, Kyper just started launching, there's other providers out there. When we bring that together as part of the solution, that's really the long term key to bridging the digital.

When we get more spectrum out that will bring people across the digital divide, will give people more competitive options. But also think about this new generation of low worth orbit satellites, whether it's Starlink, Kyper just started launching, there's other providers out there. When we bring that together as part of the solution, that's really the long term key to bridging the digital.

Divide in a cost effective way.

Divide in a cost effective way.

Well, that's interesting that you bring up Elon Musk Starling. Does we know his certainly close relationship with the president. I mean, how much of the work you are doing is kind of focusing on his kind of technology.

Well, that's interesting that you bring up Elon Musk Starling. Does we know his certainly close relationship with the president. I mean, how much of the work you are doing is kind of focusing on his kind of technology.

Well, look, I think the space economy in general is probably one of our top three issues that we're doing at the FCC.

Well, look, I think the space economy in general is probably one of our top three issues that we're doing at the FCC.

We need to start moving much more quickly.

We need to start moving much more quickly.

It took years to get the permits necessary for a lot of the communications for these satellites.

It took years to get the permits necessary for a lot of the communications for these satellites.

We need to be doing that in a matter of days and weeks. But it's not just starling. But they do it safely.

We need to be doing that in a matter of days and weeks. But it's not just starling. But they do it safely.

Though.

Though.

There is some concern about how many satellites are up in space at this point.

There is some concern about how many satellites are up in space at this point.

We just did a big deep.

We just did a big deep.

Dive yere at Bloomberg about concerns about satellites coming down. I mean, there is a process here.

Dive yere at Bloomberg about concerns about satellites coming down. I mean, there is a process here.

How do you do this safely?

How do you do this safely?

Yeah, we feel comfortable. There's order debri mitigation rules that are in place. We license all the satellites. At the end of the day, we feel very comfortable that we can still.

Yeah, we feel comfortable. There's order debri mitigation rules that are in place. We license all the satellites. At the end of the day, we feel very comfortable that we can still.

Get thousands of more satellites out there.

Get thousands of more satellites out there.

We get in The new trend is direct to people's cell phone, and that's something that's just emerging.

We get in The new trend is direct to people's cell phone, and that's something that's just emerging.

In fact, we've given.

In fact, we've given.

Providers authority to go higher power from these LEO satellites system to get even better direct to sell capabilities. This is a really exciting area.

Providers authority to go higher power from these LEO satellites system to get even better direct to sell capabilities. This is a really exciting area.

I want you to talk though, particularly when it comes to the satellites in space, because obviously a lot of competition between nations for that real estate, if you will. In the air. The US obviously had the first mover advantage. China has been launching like crazy. India now trying to get into the mix, and we're seeing other countries, including in Latin America also try to find space up there. Does this become a conflict at some point?

I want you to talk though, particularly when it comes to the satellites in space, because obviously a lot of competition between nations for that real estate, if you will. In the air. The US obviously had the first mover advantage. China has been launching like crazy. India now trying to get into the mix, and we're seeing other countries, including in Latin America also try to find space up there. Does this become a conflict at some point?

Look, I think this is going to be a very important geopolitical issue. Is you know, China is trying to launch their own version of whether it's Starlink or Kuiper, and when they're able to pair Belton Road with high speed internet provided from satellites with their own CCP content moderation builters, that's a real threat going forward. And that's why it's so imperative that the SEC moved quickly to allow US providers again a full range of them to launch to compete to provide coverage.

Look, I think this is going to be a very important geopolitical issue. Is you know, China is trying to launch their own version of whether it's Starlink or Kuiper, and when they're able to pair Belton Road with high speed internet provided from satellites with their own CCP content moderation builters, that's a real threat going forward. And that's why it's so imperative that the SEC moved quickly to allow US providers again a full range of them to launch to compete to provide coverage.

And so that's what we're going to do with the agency.

And so that's what we're going to do with the agency.

I have to ask you just about mergers and acquisitions, consolidation in the industry, and not necessarily just consolidation, but the idea of strategic partnerships and other things things that in the past, not only under the Biden administration, but even under previous administrations on the Republican side have maybe found I won't say a roadblock, but maybe let's say a roadbump, a speed bump, if you will, and getting those things done. What type of assurance is can you give the industry that if they do find a need and a desire for those types of strategic partnerships and acquisitions, that the FCC won't stand in the way.

I have to ask you just about mergers and acquisitions, consolidation in the industry, and not necessarily just consolidation, but the idea of strategic partnerships and other things things that in the past, not only under the Biden administration, but even under previous administrations on the Republican side have maybe found I won't say a roadblock, but maybe let's say a roadbump, a speed bump, if you will, and getting those things done. What type of assurance is can you give the industry that if they do find a need and a desire for those types of strategic partnerships and acquisitions, that the FCC won't stand in the way.

Yeah, we're certainly open for business. We're talking to lots of providers. We have a number of deals before us right now. One thing that I've said to everybody though, is if you have invidious forms of DEI discrimination, that's something that I think you need to get the house in order before you come to the FCC for and approved. That's one of the gating criteria that I've been looking at. But we are open for business. We want investment. President Trump wants companies building in America, investing in America, and we're going to play.

Yeah, we're certainly open for business. We're talking to lots of providers. We have a number of deals before us right now. One thing that I've said to everybody though, is if you have invidious forms of DEI discrimination, that's something that I think you need to get the house in order before you come to the FCC for and approved. That's one of the gating criteria that I've been looking at. But we are open for business. We want investment. President Trump wants companies building in America, investing in America, and we're going to play.

Our party paramounts to be asked that deal. What can we expect.

Our party paramounts to be asked that deal. What can we expect.

We're running our normal course process on that.

We're running our normal course process on that.

Again, we probably have three or four big multi billion dollar deals at the FCC right now, we're working through all of them. We cleared one smaller telecom deal earlier this year. It usually takes about one hundred and eighty days to get through these deals.

Again, we probably have three or four big multi billion dollar deals at the FCC right now, we're working through all of them. We cleared one smaller telecom deal earlier this year. It usually takes about one hundred and eighty days to get through these deals.

We're about one hundred days into the Trump.

We're about one hundred days into the Trump.

Mystery sticking point though.

Mystery sticking point though.

At this point, at this point, we're just running our normal process, whether it's the CBS deal. We have a Verizon Frontier transaction before us. We have a team Mobile, US Cellular. We're just getting our teams crunching on all the deals right now when it's.

At this point, at this point, we're just running our normal process, whether it's the CBS deal. We have a Verizon Frontier transaction before us. We have a team Mobile, US Cellular. We're just getting our teams crunching on all the deals right now when it's.

Just normal force.

Just normal force.

All right, tend our timeline.

All right, tend our timeline.

Yeah, no time wins anounce here unfortunately.

Yeah, no time wins anounce here unfortunately.

All right, listen, we appreciate we know you're a busy man.

All right, listen, we appreciate we know you're a busy man.

Thank you so much. I appreciate it.

Thank you so much. I appreciate it.

FCC Chair Brenda Cart joining us here at Milkin

FCC Chair Brenda Cart joining us here at Milkin