Gigi Sohn Favors Banning Private Equity from Majority Stakes in Broadband ISPs
Sohn says private equity should not control more than 50% of a broadband ISP.
WASHINGTON, June 2, 2026 – A prominent consumer advocate supports blocking private equity from taking majority control of broadband Internet Service Providers.
Gigi Sohn, Executive Director of the American Association for Public Broadband, was a guest on the Light Reading podcast “The Divide” on June 1, where she discussed her concerns about private equity having primary control of broadband infrastructure.
“I think we really need to think about whether we want private equity buying up the kind of infrastructure that we need to live a full life and to flourish,” Sohn said on the podcast. She explained that the goal of private equity is to maximize return on investment from an asset, which often leads to cutting costs and selling investments that are not profitable.
Private equity is deep into broadband ownership. Firms have identified broadband as a promising area of investment because of government funding, and internet access has become essential for users, making ISPs a reliable source of income.
Firms are spending billions to acquire regional and community ISPs. Last year, private equity firm KKR and T-Mobile acquired fiber ISP Metronet in a 50-50 partnership that would presumably be fine with Sohn. Last month, T-Mobile invested $2.7 billion to acquire two regional ISPs, teaming up with private equity firm Oak Hill Capital in a 50-50 venture.
Sohn noted that she was okay with private equity having a small investment in broadband infrastructure, but she is against full ownership because of the risk involved. “It’s just too important for society that these networks thrive," Sohn said.
