Genachowski nominated to head FCC

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Barack Obama on Tuesday nominated Julius Genachowski as chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, the White House said in a statement.

Genachowski, who must be confirmed by the U.S. Senate, was widely expected to be offered the position regulating the industry. He was a top aide to the FCC chairman under Democratic president Bill Clinton, a classmate of Obama's from Harvard Law School and has been advising Obama on telecoms policy.

In the private sector, Genachowski held various positions at IAC/InterActiveCorp and more recently at technology investment firms RockCreek Ventures and LauchBox Digital.

"He will bring to the job diverse and unparalleled experience in communications and technology, with two decades of accomplishment in the private sector and public service," Obama said.

The FCC's biggest immediate challenge is handling a nationwide conversion to digital television signals, which is now set for June after a delay to give millions of viewers more time to prepare.

Another major task will be helping give out billions of dollars in incentives Obama included in his $787 billion economic stimulus package, for expansion of high-speed Internet in unserved and underserved areas.

Among the FCC's mandates are regulation of telephone and cable companies, oversight of concentration of ownership of radio and television outlets, and auctioning public airwaves.