Blair Levin
Nonresident Senior Fellow, Metropolitan Policy Program
Brookings Institution
Blair Levin is a member of ITIF’s board.
He is a nonresident senior fellow with the Metropolitan Policy Program at the Brookings Institution. He is also the policy adviser to New Street Research, a global telecommunications and tech equity research firm. He also serves as an adviser to a variety of nonprofits with a mission of deploying or using broadband technology to advance social progress, as well as both privately held and public companies in the telecom and technology sectors.
Previously, he worked with the Aspen Institute Communications and Society Program, following his departure in 2010 from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), where he oversaw the development of a National Broadband Plan. Levin rejoined the Commission in 2009, after eight years as an analyst at Legg Mason and Stifel Nicolaus. As Barron’s magazine noted, Levin “has always been on top of developing trends and policy shifts in media and telecommunications … and has proved visionary in getting out in front of many of today’s headline making events.”
Levin served as chief of staff to FCC Chairman Reed Hundt from December 1993 to October 1997. During that period, he oversaw, among other matters, the implementation of the 1996 Telecommunications Reform Act, the first spectrum auctions, the development of digital television standards, and the commission’s Internet initiative.
Prior to his position with the FCC, Levin was a partner in the North Carolina law firm of Parker, Poe, Adams and Bernstein, where he represented new communications ventures, as well as numerous local governments on public financing issues.
He is a graduate of Yale College and Yale Law School.
He is a nonresident senior fellow with the Metropolitan Policy Program at the Brookings Institution. He is also the policy adviser to New Street Research, a global telecommunications and tech equity research firm. He also serves as an adviser to a variety of nonprofits with a mission of deploying or using broadband technology to advance social progress, as well as both privately held and public companies in the telecom and technology sectors.
Recent Events and Presentations
Building on What Works: An Analysis of U.S. Broadband Policy
ITIF hosted an expert discussion of Jonathan Nuechterlein and Howard Shelanski’s new paper, “Building on What Works: An Analysis of U.S. Broadband Policy.”
Uncle Sam’s Broadband Plan: Which Way Forward for the New Interagency Broadband Council?
Join ITIF for an expert panel discussion on the opportunities and challenges for the administration in improving U.S. broadband policy.
The National Broadband Plan: Four Years Later
ITIF will host a panel discussing the plan’s implementation, focusing on adoption in vertical markets.
The Internet Protocol Transition: Where Do We Stand?
This panel discussion will explore where the nation stands with the phase-out of the PSTN and the full deployment of IP broadband, on both the policy and technical fronts.
What's on the Agenda for the New FCC?
A panel of experts and stakeholders examine the issues and offer their recommendations for the next FCC Chairman's agenda.
Book Presentation: The Need for Speed
ITIF host "The Need for Speed: A New Framework for Telecommunications Policy for the 21st Century" book launch.
Spectrum Policy for Innovation
What set of policies will make more spectrum available for innovative uses?
The National Purposes in the National Broadband Plan: One Year Later
ITIF reunites the FCC team that spearheaded the development of recommendations to integrate broadband into people’s daily lives.
Framing a National Broadband Policy
An event marking the publication of an ITIF report articulating a national broadband strategy. ITIF President Rob Atkinson will present proposals from the report.
