TechTarget and Informa Techs Digital Business Combine.TechTarget and InformaTechTarget and Informa Techs Digital Business Combine.Together, we power an unparalleled network of 220+ online properties covering 10,000+ granular topics, serving an audience of 50+ million professionals with original, objective content from trusted sources. We help you gain critical insights and make more informed decisions across your business priorities.A New Administration and a New Direction for NetworksA New Administration and a New Direction for NetworksWith the installation of new leadership at the FCC, heres what network owners and operators are likely to see unfold. And it may not be what you expect.Pam Baker, Contributing WriterJanuary 24, 20252 Min ReadBrendan Carr appears before a Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation hearing in 2023.MediaPunch Inc via Alamy StockGiven the nations collective unease leading up to the presidential election and the subsequent election of one of historys most polarizing U.S. presidents, it is no surprise that uncertainty surrounds business decisions as networks seek to find their footing on shifting social, political, and economic terrain. Adding to the air of confusion are building controversies over some of the incoming administrations cabinet picks and a premature, failed government funding showdown.In this contentious atmosphere, incoming FCC chairman Brendan Carr is also facing some controversy overhis free speech initiativesandhis role in Project 2025. However, Carr has served as an FCC Commissioner since 2017, having been nominated by both President Trump and President Biden, and confirmed unanimously by the Senate three times. Bipartisan support would seem to suggest that he is not as much of a polarizing figure - nor prone to disruptive or abrupt actions - as some of the other cabinet nominees."Brendan Carr stepping in as FCC Chairman should be seen as a positive development for network operators. While much of the media hype has been centered on his free speech initiatives, his track record suggests a strong focus on cutting through red tape to speed up broadband and 5G rollouts, especially in rural and underserved areas, said Mukesh Gupta, CPO of networking company Infoblox.Will Carr Prevail at the FCC?While many see Carrs actions to be predictable and, therefore, easier to plan for, some are concerned that Carr may be overridden by an administration that appears to be set to strip agencies of much of their power and autonomy.Two of President-elect Donald Trump's picks to head the new "Department of Government Efficiency," Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, havepublicly announced plansto cut government spending through "mass reductions," with Ramaswamy going so far as to say that some governmental agencies may be deleted outright.While its nearly impossible for any federal agency to be "deleted" without a massive congressional battle, which the Trump administration is unlikely to win, Trump might succeed in outright ignoring or challenging the 1974 Impoundment Control Act. If that happens, he could starve agencies of Congressional-approved federal funding, which could cripple them to the point of failure. And that may happen given Trumps focus on surrounding himself with loyalists.Considering these big picture factors, for some, the question becomes not so much whether Carrs leadership is beneficial to network owners and operators but whether he is likely to become merely a figurehead or a yes man.Read the Full Article on Network ComputingRead more about:Network ComputingAbout the AuthorPam BakerContributing WriterA prolific writer and analyst, Pam Baker's published work appears in many leading publications. She's also the author of several books, the most recent of which are "Decision Intelligence for Dummies" and "ChatGPT For Dummies." Baker is also a popular speaker at technology conferences and a member of the National Press Club, Society of Professional Journalists, and the Internet Press Guild.See more from Pam BakerNever Miss a Beat: Get a snapshot of the issues affecting the IT industry straight to your inbox.SIGN-UPYou May Also LikeWebinarsMore WebinarsReportsMore Reports