GSMA appoints new chief regulatory officer

The GSM Association (GSMA) has announced the appointment of John Giusti as its new chief regulatory officer with effect from November 1, 2015.

According to the organisation representing the interests of mobile operators worldwide, Giusti will be responsible for leading its public policy and industry advocacy agenda with governments, regulators, international institutions and development organisations.

“Since joining the GSMA in 2011, John has been instrumental in advancing the GSMA’s policy initiatives, including working with governments to secure critical spectrum resources for mobile, establishing and promoting best practice in areas such as regulation, taxation and privacy, and expanding digital inclusion for citizens globally, among others,” Alex Sinclair, Acting Director General and Chief Technology Officer, GSMA, says.

“I am very pleased to welcome such an accomplished and highly regarded individual as John to the GSMA executive team. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Tom Phillips for his many years of service to the GSMA and we look forward to continuing our work with him as a special advisor focused on the interests of our members.”

“Mobile is one of the most exciting and dynamic industry sectors today, one that has already had a transformative impact on the lives of billions of people around the world and that makes major contributions to the global economy,” commented John Giusti. “I am honoured to join the GSMA executive team and look forward to working with our members as we strive to bring the enabling power of the mobile Internet to all of the world’s citizens.”

Prior to joining the GSMA, Giusti spent 17 years at the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC), working in a variety of capacities. Most recently, he served as chief of staff and senior policy advisor to Commissioner Michael Copps, where he provided legal, strategic and policy support to the Commissioner on all major agency actions, including the implementation of the National Broadband Plan.

He also previously ran the FCC’s International Bureau, where he managed the agency’s relationships with its foreign counterparts and served as the its chief negotiator at meetings of the International Telecommunication Union, the Inter-American Telecommunications Commission and other multilateral organisations.

Giusti was educated in the United States, earning a Juris Doctorate from Boston University School of Law and a Bachelor of Science in Telecommunications from the University of Florida. He has been a member of the Massachusetts bar since 1994.