• by Wendy Davis  @wendyndavis, December 15, 2016

Federal Communications Commission Chairman Tom Wheeler will exit the agency on Jan. 20, the same day that President-elect Donald Trump takes office.

A former industry lobbyist, Wheeler spearheaded new broadband regulations during his tenure with the FCC. His legacy includes net neutrality rules that prohibit broadband carriers from blocking or degrading traffic and from charging content companies higher fees for prioritized delivery. The FCC under Wheeler also passed tough privacy rules that could restrict broadband carriers' ability to engage in behavioral advertising techniques.

Wheeler was widely expected to step down as Chairman next month, but some observers had speculated that he would stay with the agency until his term expires in 2018. After he leaves, the FCC will only have three commissioners -- two Republicans and one Democrat. The agency's two Republicans, who voted against the net neutrality and privacy rules, recently said they expect the net neutrality and privacy regulations will be repealed soon.

"Wheeler didn’t come into this job as a Net Neutrality champion, but he will be remembered first and foremost for his leadership on that crucial issue," Free Press President and CEO Craig Aaron said in a statement.