John Kneuer, head of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, stepped down from his post, citing new opportunities for the reason he's leaving.
Kneuer was in charge of the upcoming transition of the television industry to digital broadcasting from analog. He will resign this month, said Todd Sedmak, the agency spokesman.
The date of the changeover is February 18, 2009, when millions of televisions will no longer be able to receive a signal, and their sets will go black.
The government will eventually offer consumers two coupons with a $40 value each to buy two converter boxes. The NTIA is over the program.
Sedmak added that the departure of Kneuer will have no impact on the preparations for the changes saying, "We have the people and policies and programs in place for this project to be successful and all our other projects."
The major concerns are the information change getting out to consumers, as fears of the backlash if it doesn't are resounding around Washington; even this far ahead of time.
Temporarily replacing Kneuer will be Meredith Baker, deputy assistant secretary, until a replacement is found.
Comment Preview