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
Let’s cut the cord on federal funding for NPR and PBS
- By: Brian A. Rankin
They are products of a media landscape that no longer exists. The Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) was born through the Public Broadcasting Act…
Free speech at risk: Why website blocking bill goes too far
- By: Brian A. Rankin
Content creators have long complained about copyright infringing websites that deprive them of compensation. The Motion Picture Association claims infringement costs “hundreds of thousands…
Risks remain after Congress’s deregulatory net neutrality choice is affirmed
- By: Brian A. Rankin
This past decade’s net neutrality saga recently received much needed clarity thanks to the federal 6th Circuit Court of Appeals. Its decision rules on the…
Op-Eds/Articles
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…
The 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
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…
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…