The U.S. Senate today confirmed Jessica Rosenworcel as the first appointed female chairperson of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Rosenworcel had been acting chairperson for almost a year.
She was confirmed in a 68-31 vote and will serve another five-year term.
The vote means the FCC narrowly avoided a Republican majority, which could have happened if Rosenworcel’s current term were allowed to expire at the end of the year.
“It is a tremendous honor to be confirmed and designated as the first permanent Chairwoman of the Federal Communications Commission,” she said in a statement today. “I would like to thank President Biden for the opportunity.”
She will lead the FCC as it embarks on a historic time of building broadband to unserved areas of the U.S., as well as replacing Chinese equipment from American telecom networks and leading the next era of spectrum allocations, including potential spectrum-sharing technologies.
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The “applause” came in fast.
“On behalf of NTCA’s members, I want to offer my sincerest congratulations to Chairwoman Rosenworcel,” said Shirley Bloomfield, CEO of NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association. “Throughout her time as an FCC commissioner, and before that as a senior congressional and FCC staffer, Chairwoman Rosenworcel has been a problem-solver and a tireless advocate for overcoming barriers to broadband access for all Americans.”
Steven Berry, President & CEO of CCA, said, “Chairwoman Rosenworcel has a passion and deep understanding of the importance of ensuring that all Americans, particularly those in rural areas, have access to robust mobile broadband services, and she recognizes the importance of reliable mapping data to target resource deployment.”
CTIA President and CEO Meredith Attwell Baker said, Throughout Chairwoman Rosenworcel’s exemplary career of public service, she has fought to ensure that all Americans are connected and has worked tirelessly to close the homework gap. She has prioritized smart spectrum policies and accelerating 5G deployment."
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Coincidentally, FierceWireless is conducting its first Fiercest Women in Telecom contest, which is happening right now. Rosenworcel is among 24 amazing female leaders in telecom whom readers are voting for.