San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo resigned from a panel that advises the Federal Communications Commission on broadband deployment, alleging that the committee is dealing internet service providers "a very favorable hand" of policy recommendations.

The Broadband Deployment Advisory Committee is a key element of Republican FCC Chairman Ajit Pai's priority of making sure broadband internet reaches all Americans.

However, Liccardo said that despite the good intentions of several participants, the industry-heavy makeup of BDAC has relegated the body to being a vehicle for advancing the interests of the telecommunications industry over those of the public.

He told Axios that he thought that the committee's draft recommendations were trying to "steamroll cities" in favor of industry access to infrastructure. He pointed to a draft model law that would give states power over permitting for wireless broadband infrastructure at the expense of cities' interests.