FCC Boss Resigns

The head of the US telecoms regulator, the FCC has tendered his resignation. Powell, 41, who became chairman four years ago after serving three years as a commissioner, said that he is seeking alternative opportunities. He will step down in March once a successor is chosen. The decision to resign had been widely expected, if regularly denied by Chairman Powell, who is the son of Secretary of State Colin Powell.

"Having completed a bold and aggressive agenda, it is time for me to pursue other opportunities and let someone else take the reins of the agency," he said in his statement. "The seeds of our policies are taking firm root in the marketplace and are starting to blossom."

Commenting on the news, Commissioner Kathleen Q. Abernathy said "When it comes to managing this country's valuable spectrum resource, Michael Powell was the first Chairman to engage in a comprehensive reform of outdated spectrum allocation rules. He implemented rule changes that are already yielding more efficient and productive uses of this critical resource. He has also undertaken several tremendously successful consumer initiatives, including the national do-not-call registry and wireless local number portability."

Posted to the site on 24th January 2005