The FINANCIAL — Facebook Inc. hired former Federal Communications Commission Chairman Kevin Martin to manage the social network’s mobile and global access policy from Washington, according to Nasdaq.
Mr. Martin, who served on the FCC from 2001 to 2009 and as chairman from 2005 to 2009, had advised Facebook for the past two years on policy issues related to connectivity, use of radio spectrum, and mobility, while at law firm Squire Patton Boggs.
The hiring comes as Facebook attempts to extend Web access to what it estimates are 1.1 billion to 2.8 billion people without it today under an initiative called Internet.org. The program is aimed at giving those people access to basic Internet services, including Facebook.
Facebook, like other big tech companies, has stepped up its presence in Washington in recent years, and spent $9 million last year on lobbying efforts around issues including immigration, according to the Center for Responsive Politics.
“Kevin’s deep experience in technology and communications policy, along with his creativity and strategic vision have already proven invaluable to our mission to connect the world and we are thrilled he is joining the Facebook team full-time,” Joel Kaplan, Vice President of Global Public Policy, said in a statement.
While at the FCC, Mr. Martin ruffled feathers in the cable industry by suggesting consumers be allowed to buy cable channels a la carte instead of in bundles.
Before joining the FCC, Martin was a special assistant to the president for economic policy and was on the staff of the National Economic Council, focused on commerce and technology policy.
The news of his hiring was earlier reported by Bloomberg.
Also Tuesday, Facebook announced that Chief Privacy Officer Erin Egan will take on a second role as head of U.S. public policy.
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