Sprint Corp parent Softbank has hired a former FCC chief counsel and member of Obama’s 2008 presidential transition team as EVP of legal and regulatory affairs for its US business. The appointment of Bruce Gottlieb comes at a time when Softbank has…
Sprint Corp parent Softbank has hired a former FCC chief counsel and member of Obama’s 2008 presidential transition team as EVP of legal and regulatory affairs for its US business.
The appointment of Bruce Gottlieb comes at a time when Softbank has increased is lobbying activities to convince US regulators of the benefits of a merger between Sprint and T-Mobile US.
Gottlieb was hired to play “a key role in helping us manage the investments we have made in the US mobile internet industry,” according to Ron Fisher, president of Softbank Holdings.
He added: “We are extremely excited to have a talented leader with Bruce’s deep experience and understanding of US communications policy join the Softbank team.”
Gottlieb, who will be based in Washington DC, most recently worked for US political magazine the National Journal where he served as president since 2012 and has acted as general counsel and SVP of corporate strategy for its parent, Atlantic Media, since 2010.
Gottlieb has also been a legal advisor to former FCC commissioner Michael Copps, between from 2006 and 2008. He has appeared before the Supreme Court, federal appellate courts and regulatory agencies.
Yesterday Softbank CEO Masayoshi Son delivered a speech in DC arguing that US broadband speeds were lagging behind other countries and prices were comparatively high, implicitly making the case for a Sprint/T-Mobile merger. Read the full story here
