FCC’s Gomez Says 1996 Telecom Act was the Country’s Last Big Tech Law — and it’s Still Shaping the Internet Age

WASHINGTON, March 17, 2026 – Democratic Federal Communications Commissioner Anna Gomez said the Telecommunications Act of 1996 was the last major federal effort to create a regulatory framework for technology. 

Gomez hosted a 30th Anniversary of the 96 Act Webinar on Tuesday to celebrate and reflect on the Telecom Act of 1996. Republican FCC Chairman Brendan Carr and Gomez shared opening remarks at the event, detailing the successes and challenges that the law created for the country’s technology and communications sector. 

Carr said one of the biggest effects of the Telecom Act was that it enabled present-day competition and convergence of telecommunication sectors and companies. He said we face a “frothy converged environment” where cable companies have ventured into the mobile wireless sector and satellite companies have entered the broadband market.