Brian A. Rankin is an Adjunct Fellow at the Competitive Enterprise Institute who focuses on communications and technology issues. He is an attorney with over 30 years of experience practicing law for cable, telecommunications and technology companies. His practice has included regulatory and policy matters, including advocacy before federal, state and local agencies, as well as counsel for business operations, mergers and acquisitions and other transactions.
Mr. Rankin has a J.D. from DePaul University, an M.B.A from the University of Alabama and a B.S. from Illinois State University. He lives in Philadelphia with his wife, son and two rescue dogs, and is a life long, die hard Chicago Cubs fan.
Authored by Brian A. Rankin
News
CEI Report: Wi-Fi success shows permissionless innovation is a competitive advantage
Wi-Fi is ubiquitous in the United States. It provides Americans with broadband access in countless locations, including homes, schools, hotels, coffee shops, offices, airports, and…
FCC move to impose utility-style regulation on broadband providers vulnerable to legal challenge – CEI paper
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is expected to vote Thursday to impose utility-style regulation on broadband internet access providers under Title II of the…
Blog
A year end blessing: No net neutrality
- By: Brian A. Rankin
As we approach the end of the year, it’s a natural time to reflect on what we’re grateful for. While many blessings come to mind,…
Camelot and misuse of the public interest
- By: Brian A. Rankin
Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chair Brendan Carr has used the Communications Act’s public interest obligation to pressure broadcast licensees. This includes threatening ABC over…
Conservative radio and the risks of FCC pressure on broadcast licensees
- By: Brian A. Rankin
Conservative radio is one of the most potent forces in American politics. It emerged from Federal Communications Commission (FCC) deregulation that fostered free speech and…
Op-Eds/Articles
DC Journal
Public Interest Requires the FCC to Abolish the News Distortion Standard
- By: Brian A. Rankin
For decades, the Federal Communications Commission has invoked the public interest to regulate the speech of television and radio stations licensed by the agency. Television…
National Review
Net Neutrality Trusts Regulation over Markets
- By: Brian A. Rankin
Despite years of investment, innovation, increasing competition, and declining prices under a light-touch regulatory framework, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has reinstated Obama–era net-neutrality rules and…
Wall Street Journal
‘Net Neutrality’ Faces a Stiff Judicial Test
- By: Brian A. Rankin
The Federal Communications Commission voted Thursday along partisan lines to reclassify broadband internet access service as a common carrier telecommunications service under Title II of…
Studies
Freedom, Broadcasting, and the Public Interest
- By: Brian A. Rankin
Introduction The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is invoking the public interest to justify regulatory moves that would, in theory, force television and radio station broadcast…
No Permission Needed
- By: Brian A. Rankin
Robust, resilient, and high-capacity internet service is critical to America’s economic prosperity and success. A key part of internet service is Wi-Fi, which provides Americans…
Major Questions on Net Neutrality
- By: Brian A. Rankin
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is poised once again to change and classify broadband internet access service (BIAS), the mass market wireline and wireless broadband…
Citations
Reason
5 Legal Reforms To Consider as Government Officials Lean on Critics
- By: Brian A. Rankin
Reason cited CEI’s expert in new study on broadcasting regulation Also making that point is the Competitive Enterprise Institute’s Brian A. Rankin in a …
Regulatory Comments
CEI Comments on Safeguarding and Securing the Open Internet
The Competitive Enterprise Institute (“CEI”) respectfully submits these comments in response to the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (“NPRM”) adopted on October 19, 2023, in the…