[K3PZN-List] So long, Mikey

[Al Bisasky]

>From the ARRL Website www.arrl.org

NEWINGTON, CT, Jan 21, 2005--FCC Chairman Michael K. Powell announced today 
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.