Ahead of a scheduled hearing with Brendan Carr, Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, has released a report examining the impact of recent FCC policies on American consumers.
The Snapshot Report outlines how costs for TV content, cellphone service, and broadband access have increased under current FCC leadership. According to the report: “Americans are facing an affordability crisis. Household connectivity costs – for TV content, cellphone service, and broadband access – continue to rise across the nation. However, instead of leaning into competition, transparency, and supporting families, today’s Federal Communications Commission is allowing a handful of giant companies to accumulate more and more market power that leaves consumers paying more while getting less.”
Key findings in the report include a 13% year-over-year increase in streaming costs in 2025 alone. Basic cable rates have more than doubled over the past decade. Retransmission fees have grown by approximately 2,000% during this period.
For cellphone services, U.S. consumers now pay the second-highest prices among 26 advanced economies. The report claims that reducing competition—such as forcing Dish to abandon its nationwide network—has effectively eliminated a fourth national carrier. It also notes that Verizon has added over $1 billion annually from price increases despite slow subscriber growth.
Broadband access costs are also highlighted. Twenty-three million low-income households lost between $30 and $75 per month in broadband support, leading 70% of recipients to downgrade or discontinue their internet service. The FCC is also cited for making it easier for providers to hide fees from customers.
“Congress directed the FCC to protect consumers and promote competition,” states the report. “Instead, today’s FCC has chosen to side with corporations at every turn. Current policies are steering the communications marketplace toward concentration and opacity rather than competition and affordability. Without a course correction, these warning signs can harden into a permanent reality where essential digital connectivity becomes more expensive, less reliable, and increasingly out of reach for millions of families.”
The full Snapshot Report is available online.
The Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee reviews legislation related to commerce, science and transportation during congressional sessions according to its official website. The committee serves as a standing committee within the legislative branch focused on these issues here, working from its main office in Washington D.C.'s Russell Senate Office Building here. The committee includes senators from both parties under direction from its chairman here.
