Julius Genachowski, a technology executive and former Federal Communications Commission official who worked for Barack Obama’s campaign, is the president-elect’s choice to lead the agency, a Democratic official said.
As head of the body that regulates telephone, cable and broadcast companies, Genachowski will face pressure for action to expand Internet access and improve emergency wireless communications.
He also will deal with the national switch to digital television, when major stations must stop sending traditional analog signals. Congress set the transition for Feb. 17. The Obama transition team has asked lawmakers to delay the change, citing confusion among consumers and a funding shortfall in the program subsidizing digital equipment some viewers will need.
