Regime Change In Cuba, Through Internet Access? — With FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr

Episode Summary

Executive Summary: FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr outlines the FCC’s broad telecom mandate, then argues the U.S. should help restore internet access in Cuba via balloons, embassy Wi‑Fi, and VPNs to enable dissent against censorship. He frames internet access as a modern freedom tool, while also pushing to make big tech fund rural connectivity and criticizing U.S. content moderation and China policy.

Main Topics: FCC remit and Carr’s background (Priority: 5/5): Carr explains the FCC as a mini-Congress for tech and telecom, covering media licensing, universal service, public safety, spectrum, and 5G. He also shares his path from FCC intern to commissioner. Internet access as a tool for Cuban dissent (Priority: 5/5): Carr argues Cuba’s protests show the need for U.S.-supported connectivity so citizens can share footage, coordinate, and evade state censorship through modern communications tools. Technologies to restore connectivity in Cuba (Priority: 5/5): He proposes two tracks: creating new access via high-altitude balloons or embassy Wi‑Fi, and supporting circumvention tools like VPNs already used by millions in Cuba. Strategic and legal concerns around cross-border internet provision (Priority: 4/5): Carr acknowledges potential FAA and international-law issues, but says the U.S. should proceed through the federal government and not leave private firms exposed. Internet, China, and regime competition (Priority: 4/5): He broadens the argument to say the U.S. should support free flow of information in other authoritarian states too, especially China, and is skeptical that censored entry by U.S. firms leads to liberalization. Universal Service Fund and big tech contributions (Priority: 4/5): Carr argues the current rural broadband subsidy model is unfair because consumers fund it through phone charges while big tech captures most traffic and value; he wants large platforms to contribute. Section 230, censorship, and the Biden administration (Priority: 3/5): He says Democrats and Republicans are pulling Section 230 in opposite directions, believes the FCC should narrow its interpretation, and criticizes the Biden administration and big tech for inconsistent free-speech positions.

Key Arguments: The FCC is not just about net neutrality; it plays a broad role in licensing, subsidies, public safety, spectrum policy, and 5G infrastructure. Cuba’s protests are being met with internet shutdowns and application blocking, making connectivity a freedom issue rather than just a technical one. The U.S. can help in Cuba through two complementary methods: new access infrastructure and circumvention tools like VPNs. High-altitude balloons are a proven emergency-connectivity option, with prior use in Puerto Rico, Kenya, and Peru, even if they are not a full commercial replacement for mobile networks. Supporting VPNs should include funding and publicity, because they already help millions of Cubans bypass filtering. The U.S. should think strategically about communications support abroad because modern information channels can accelerate democratic movements. Big tech benefits heavily from rural internet infrastructure but does not pay proportionately; a small fee on digital ad services could finance the Universal Service Fund more fairly. Censored market entry in China has not reliably produced liberalization; Carr is increasingly skeptical of the 'taste of freedom' theory. The FCC could potentially narrow Section 230 interpretation, but legislative change remains difficult because Democrats and Republicans want opposite outcomes. Carr believes the internet has done more good than harm overall, despite concerns about censorship and platform power.

Data Points: FCC commissioners: 5 total; currently 2-2 - Carr describes the commission’s structure and notes the Biden administration has not yet appointed a third Democrat. Universal Service Fund size: $9 billion per year - Used to subsidize internet builds and related communications programs. Telephone bill surcharge: 30% - Carr says the universal service fund is financed via a roughly 30% charge on telephone service. Original surcharge level: 5% to 6% - Carr says the universal service charge has risen from this early level to over 30%. Cuban Wi‑Fi speed: 2 or 3 megabits per second - Carr cites this as slower than Copperline DSL in the U.S. to argue for any added connectivity. VPN users in Cuba: 2 million - Carr says Syphon has about 2 million users in Cuba already bypassing internet filters. High-altitude balloon use in Puerto Rico: 2017 - Carr says the FCC authorized the technology after Hurricane damage disrupted landline communications. Balloon altitude range: 60,000 to 75,000 feet - Carr contrasts these with NASA’s much higher weather balloons. NASA balloon altitude: about 160,000 feet - Used as a comparison point for high-altitude balloon technology. US rural-network traffic from streamers: 70% - Carr cites a study saying big streamers account for most downstream traffic on rural networks. Network maintenance costs tied to that traffic: 90% - He says maintaining those networks is largely driven by the streaming traffic load. Digital ad services industry size: over $100 billion - Carr uses this as the basis for a possible fee to fund universal service. School connectivity program: $7 billion - He cites an FCC vote to connect school kids to the internet. Low-income connectivity program: $3 billion - He cites another FCC vote to connect low-income Americans to the internet. Distance from Cuba: 90 miles - Carr repeatedly emphasizes proximity as a rationale for U.S. action. Historical Cuba internet devices: 2013-2014 - Carr says the Obama administration inserted satellite-backed internet devices into Cuba during this period.

Pivotal Quotes: "The best way to think about the FCC probably is like a mini-Congress for purposes of tech and telecom issues." — Brendan Carr: Carr explains the FCC’s scope and institutional role early in the interview. "We should be helping to introduce new internet services that don't exist on the island today." — Brendan Carr: He lays out his first policy track for restoring connectivity in Cuba. "If your business is benefiting substantially from America's world-leading internet connections, then you should contribute." — Brendan Carr: Carr’s core argument for requiring big tech to help fund the Universal Service Fund.

Implications: Listeners should expect more aggressive U.S. policy debates over internet-enabled foreign influence, platform censorship, and who pays for broadband. Carr’s comments point toward a more interventionist, anti-China, anti-censorship tech policy.