Net Fix: Why FCC's Wheeler is 'defying the greatest lobbyists in the world' [telecom]

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By Marguerite Reardon, CNET, February 2, 2015

FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler is at the center of a historic debate over how we'll all use the Internet. Fans applaud a consumer-friendly approach. Critics say he'll strangle innovation. Both sides agree he's not afraid to do what he thinks is right.

Tom Wheeler has made a career out of surprising people.

The 68-year-old chairman of the Federal Communications Commission is commonly called out as a former top lobbyist for the cable and wireless industry, a role he served for a quarter of century. Few remember his long career as an entrepreneur. Even fewer know it was one of his startups that informed his view of the Internet -- before the World Wide Web was even invented -- that's now driving his approach to Internet regulation lobbyists in the world -- from the telco and cable industry -- to secure an open and fast Internet for all Americans."

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Neal McLain