FCC Chairman Brendan Carr Ascends 2,000-Foot Tower, Drone Footage Captures the Journey
FCC Chairman Brendan Carr Climbs 2,000-Foot Tower
Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Brendan Carr ascended the WCTI broadcast tower in Jones County, North Carolina, on Thursday. Carr utilized a hydraulic hoist for most of the climb, completing the final 101 feet by hand. He shared video and photos of the experience on X, highlighting his ascent alongside tower crew members. The footage captured during the climb has raised questions within the drone community, particularly regarding the aerial video that appears to have been taken by a drone.
Details of the Tower Climb
The WCTI tower stands nearly 2,000 feet tall, surpassing One World Trade Center by over 220 feet. Constructed in the 1980s and upgraded with a new antenna system in 2020, the tower’s signal reaches approximately 855,000 households across multiple counties, extending from the coast to the Raleigh area.
Carr began his climb around 9 a.m., using a hydraulic hoist known as a “pan” to ascend partway. The last segment of the climb required manual effort. Crews from Broadcast Construction Solutions were on-site to replace the tower’s guy wires, reflecting the increasing demand for skilled tower workers.
This climb was not Carr’s first; he mentioned to Fox Business that he has previously scaled around 20 to 30 towers across the country, including locations in Alabama and South Dakota.
Aerial Footage Raises Questions
The videos shared by Carr include smooth orbital shots around the top of the tower, showcasing the surrounding North Carolina landscape. The camera angles and movement patterns suggest that the footage was likely captured by a drone. However, the source of the aerial footage has not been confirmed, and Fox Business has not disclosed the equipment used. Carr’s posts do not reference a drone, and further investigation is needed to identify the platform used for filming.
Notably, Carr signed an order on December 22, 2025, that added all foreign-made drones to the FCC’s Covered List, effectively blocking new DJI products from entering the U.S. market. If a DJI drone was responsible for the footage, it presents an ironic situation for Carr, who has been critical of the company.
Build America Agenda and Workforce Development
The tower climb aligns with Carr’s Build America Agenda, a policy initiative he introduced in Sioux Falls in July 2025, focusing on broadband deployment, spectrum auctions, and telecom workforce development.
Carr emphasized the importance of the workforce during the broadcast, stating, “Most people, when they turn on their phone or their TV, they think it works on magic or pixie dust. It’s the hard work of these crews.” He noted that tower climbers can earn substantial salaries, reflecting the value of skilled labor in the telecommunications industry.
The timing of the climb coincides with the FCC’s recent Public Notice DA 26-314, which invites industry input on spectrum access, licensing reform, and Counter-UAS barriers ahead of the January 2027 exemption deadline.
Conclusion
Carr’s climb has drawn attention not only for its physical challenge but also for the implications surrounding the aerial footage. The potential use of a drone to capture the climb raises questions about regulatory compliance and the ongoing dynamics in the drone market. As investigations continue, further updates may clarify the source of the footage and its implications for the FCC’s policies.