For the past eight years, Kevin Martin has been working with the FCC to shape US wireless policy. In that time, he has butted heads with all sides of the wireless industry. Today, the Federal Communications Commission Chairman resigned his post as the head of one of the tech industry’s most influential regulatory firms.
For the better part of this decade, FCC Chairman Martin has lead the FCC through policy-changes that has opened up new spectrum for national wireless networks. The Advanced Wireless Spectrum-1 auction netted the FCC a cool $13.7 billion, while the more recent 700Mhz spectrum auction moved an impressive $19.4 billion into government coffers, all under Martin’s watch. Martin fought to open up the analog-TV white-spaces spectrum for use as an open and unlicensed spectrum, setting the stage for free-market wireless networks of the future.
During his time at the FCC, Martin also oversaw the approval of every major wireless merger in the US. Bigger carriers like gobbling up smaller carriers in order to maintain or expand their market position, and the Martin-led FCC has fostered their power-plays. Martin’s push for a federally regulated cell-tower back-up power plan and a free national wireless broadband network were passed over in favor of acquiescing to corporate control.
Says Martin in his letter of resignation to President Bush:
“I have had the privilege of serving at the Federal Communications Commission for almost 8 years, including 4 years as the agency’s chairman. During this period, we have seen a telecommunications industry undergoing rapid and unprecedented change. As a result of the market-oriented and consumer focused policies we have pursued the American people are now reaping the rewards of convergence and the broadband revolution including new and more innovative technologies and services at ever-declining prices.”
As the US prepares to usher in a new era of leadership with President-elect Obama’s inauguration next week, it seems that Mr. Martin will be bidding the FCC a storied-farewell. Fellow FCC colleague Julius Genachowski is expected to serve as the next FCC chairman under Obama’s administration.
Kevin Martin plans to work with Washington D.C.-based think tank the Aspen Institute.