Campbell named as chief of FCC’s Wireless Telecommunications Bureau

WASHINGTON-Federal Communications Commission Chairman Kevin Martin appointed his wireless advisor to head the agency’s Wireless Telecommunications Bureau, which had lacked a permanent chief since Martin took over the agency in mid-March 2005.
New WTB Chief Fred Campbell, Martin’s top wireless staffer for the past year, replaces acting wireless bureau chief Catherine Seidel. Before serving as Martin’s top wireless staffer, Campbell was an attorney advisor in the FCC’s Wireline Competition Bureau.
Seidel, who served as acting wireless bureau chief since April 2005, was named new chief of the Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau. Seidel succeeds Monica Desai.
Martin left unclear what new responsibilities Desai would assume at the FCC and why the more experienced Seidel was passed over for the wireless bureau post.
“I want to thank Fred and Cathy for agreeing to serve the commission in these capacities,” said Martin. “I am grateful for their dedicated public service to the agency and look forward to continuing to work with them. I also want to thank Monica Desai for her commitment to excellence and tireless efforts in advancing the goals set for the Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau during the past 21 months, and I look forward to a new role for her within the commission.”
Martin announced the two personnel changes on Dec. 29, the same day the agency with little fanfare conditionally approved the $79 billion merger of AT&T Inc. and BellSouth Corp.