FCC chairman Tom Wheeler has announced he will be stepping down from the helm on January 20, the same day that president-elect Donald Trump will be inaugurated. Wheeler was appointed by current president Obama, and despite a sometimes fractious relationship, both men have followed a more pro-consumer model than many past administrations, and one which has been criticized by Trump. So Wheeler was widely expected to resign almost immediately the new chief took over, but his departure deals a big blow for consumers, particularly in areas like net neutrality and the open set-top initiative. His three years running the FCC will be remembered for several major initiatives, which have seen varying degrees of success. In wireless, these are headed by…