Media Contact:
Matthew Berry, (202) 418-2005
matthew.berry@fcc.gov
For Immediate Release
STATEMENT OF FCC COMMISSIONER AJIT PAI
On D.C. Circuit’s Split Decision Upholding the FCC’s Internet Regulations
WASHINGTON, June 14, 2016.—I am deeply disappointed by the D.C. Circuit’s 2-1 decision upholding 
the FCC’s Internet regulations.  For many of the reasons set forth in Judge Williams’ compelling dissent, 
I continue to believe that these regulations are unlawful, and I hope that the parties challenging them will 
continue the legal fight.  The FCC’s regulations are unnecessary and counterproductive.  Indeed, as Judge 
Williams put it:
The ultimate irony of the Commission’s unreasoned patchwork is that, refusing to inquire 
into competitive conditions, it shunts broadband service onto the legal track suited to 
natural monopolies. Because that track provides little economic space for new firms 
seeking market entry or relatively small firms seeking expansion through innovations in 
business models or in technology, the Commission’s decision has a decent chance of 
bringing about the conditions under which some (but by no means all) of its actions could 
be grounded—the prevalence of incurable monopoly.
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Office of Commissioner Ajit Pai: (202) 418-2000
Twitter: @AjitPaiFCC
www.fcc.gov/leadership/ajit-pai
This is an unofficial announcement of Commission action.  Release of the full text of a Commission order constitutes official
action. See MCI v. FCC, 515 F.2d 385 (D.C. Cir. 1974).