Kevin Martin

At the FCC, Kevin Martin opened the doors to faster, better, and more accessible broadband service. In 2007, the FCC under Martin conducted the largest and most profitable auction of broadband spectrum in U.S. history, raising nearly $20 billion. By creating a regulatory environment that led to exponential growth in technological innovation, wireless infrastructure, and coverage for Americans, he was able to help telecommunications businesses provide better products and better service. Currently, he oversees the technology and communications practice at Patton Boggs. Kevin Martin ran the FCC with the fundamental belief that a robust, competitive marketplace--not regulation--is the greatest protector of the public interest. His presentations provide insights and real-world ideas about how to foster competition and innovation to help the global community become better connected.

Broadening Broadband Access. At the FCC, Martin oversaw massive growth of wireless infrastructure. The numbers from 2001-2008 speak for themselves: fiber lines grew 1900%; high-speed lines grew 1600%; in 2000, 80% of the country had fewer than three service providers, but now more than 50% of the country has at least seven providers. Martin's FCC also dramatically increased the spectrum, making "TV White Spaces" available. This innovation will great improve wireless broadband connectivity and inspire new Internet-based products and services. By opening up the White Spaces, Martin and the FCC have created the possibility for a "WiFi on steroids" according to a recent report.

Tapping into the Full Spectrum of Possibilities. Martin joined the Commission from the White House, where he served as a special assistant to the President for economic policy and was on the staff of the National Economic Council. In that capacity, he focused primarily on commerce and technology policy issues. He also served as the official U.S. government representative to the G-8's Digital Opportunity Task Force, a government, non-profit, and private sector task force created to identify ways in which the digital revolution can assure opportunities for developing countries.

More About Kevin Martin. Prior to joining the Bush Administration, Martin served as a principle technology and telecommunications advisor on the Bush-Cheney transition team. He assumed this role after serving as the deputy general counsel to the Bush campaign in Austin, Texas, from July 1999 through December 2000. From 1997 to 1999, Martin served as a legal advisor to FCC Commissioner Harold Furchtgott-Roth, advising the commissioner on telecommunications and broadband issues. Martin had previously served in the Office of the Independent Counsel following several years of work in private practice at the Washington, DC, law firm of Wiley, Rein & Fielding.

Martin graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he was student body president and president of the North Carolina Association of Student Governments. A graduate Duke University and Harvard Law School, Martin is a member of the District of Columbia Bar and the Federal Communications Bar Association.