FCC Chairman quits job

FCC Chairman Michael K. Powell has announced that he'll step down, effective "sometime in March."

Powell's resignation comes just one day after President George W. Bush's inauguration for a second term in the
White House.

Nominated by former President Bill Clinton, Powell - whose
father is Secretary of State Colin Powell - joined the FCC in 1997. He became its chairman two days after President Bush was sworn in for his first term in 2001.

ARRL CEO David Sumner, K1ZZ, called Powell's performance "a deep disappointment" after some initial optimism. While the League is not unhappy about Powell's departure - especially given his unabashed cheerleading on behalf of the FCC's broadband over power line (BPL) initiative - there's also concern about whom President Bush might
call upon to replace him.

"It's no secret that we thought Chairman Powell was going entirely in the wrong direction on BPL and dragging the other commissioners and FCC staff along--willing or not--because he was, after all, the chairman," Sumner
said. "A new chairman might be a chance for a fresh start."

Last October when the FCC adopted new Part 15 rules for BPL, Powell called it "a banner day." While conceding that BPL will affect some spectrum users, including "all those wonderful Amateur Radio operators out there," the chairman implied that the FCC must balance the benefits of BPL against the relative value of other licensed services.

Powell listed the Commission's adoption of BPL rules among the "policy highlights" of his tenure. "Broadband to power plugs would lower prices, expand deployment," the chairman's list of accomplishments asserts.

Possibilities to replace Powell include the other Republican members of the five-member FCC--Kathleen Q. Abernathy, a staunch BPL supporter, and Kevin J. Martin. Speculation also has been raised about various candidates outside the commissioners. "We look forward to the opportunity to work
with the new chairman, whoever that may be," Sumner said.

Powell, in his announcement, said it was "with a mixture of pride and regret" that he informed the president of his decision to step down.

"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. "During my tenure, we worked to get the law right in order to stimulate innovative technology that puts more power in the hands
of the American people, giving them greater choices that enrich their lives."

The chairman said the seeds of the Commission's policies under his leadership "are taking firm root in the marketplace and are starting to blossom." He cited the increased use of cell phones, digital TV and other digital technology "increasingly connected anytime, anywhere by a wide
variety of broadband networks."

"Our children will inherit this exciting future," Powell proclaimed, adding that he looks forward to spending some time with his wife and two sons "before taking up my next challenge."

As FCC chairman, Powell also has been in the forefront of enforcing the Commission's rules on indecency, largely through imposing huge fines on violators. He also supported changes in media ownership rules that permitted even greater concentration in the ownership of broadcasting
outlets.

Powell's formal resignation announcement followed widespread reports in the media that he would be leaving. Communications Daily said the chairman's last day would be March 10.

Source: ARRL Letter - courtesy of The American Radio Relay League

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