According to an FCC statement, McDowell said he wanted to thank many people for his time with the communications regulator – including President Barack Obama and former President George W. Bush.
McDowell was appointed in 2006 by Bush and is said to have been integral in promoting less regulation in the US, free internet and lowering costs during his tenure as commissioner.
McDowell said: “After nearly seven years of carrying out the incredibly high honour of serving the American people at the FCC, it is time to turn more of my energies towards an even higher calling: serving my family.”
He continued: “After a great deal of deliberation, I have decided that I will step down as a commissioner of the FCC in a few weeks.”
The FCC recently approved the proposed merger between MetroPCS and T-Mobile USA after five months of regulatory delays.
