Blair Levin, who took the lead in writing the FCC‘s National Broadband Plan under then-chairman Julius Genachowski, is joining New Street Research as special adviser in the firm’s North American office.
Levin previously served as a telecommunications, tech and media policy analyst with Legg Mason and Stifel Nicolaus. He also was chief of staff to FCC chairman Reed Hundt from 1993 to 1997, and co-head of the Obama administration’s technology transition team.
The National Broadband plan, unveiled in 2010, was a roadmap to expand the reach of broadband access throughout the country. One of its significant recommendations was for an incentive auction in which broadcasters would voluntarily give up their spectrum and share in the proceeds of an auction to wireless firms. The purpose of the auction was to relieve a spectrum crunch.
Levin will continue to work with nonprofits such as the Brookings Metropolitan Policy Project and Gig.U project.
