Thomas Koutsky

Thomas Koutsky is a Senior Connectivity Program Coordinator and leads the Digital Inclusion team at the Innovation, Technology, and Research Hub in the USAID Bureau of Democracy, Development, and Innovation. The Digital Inclusion team works to build connected, digitally inclusive, and internet-empowered societies in USAID countries. In his capacity as Digital Inclusion team lead, Tom heads the Agency’s engagement in promoting open, inclusive, and secure access to and adoption of the internet, such as advancing the availability of advanced wireless services like 5G and open radio access networks, improving internet affordability, and bridging the gender digital divide. Prior to joining USAID, Tom served as Chief Policy Officer for the U.S.-based nonprofit Connected Nation and helped dozens of cities and communities in ten states and Puerto Rico develop technology and broadband action plans. In 2009-2010, he served at the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) as Senior Advisor and co-author of the U.S. National Broadband Plan, shepherding the Plan’s work on expanding internet networks and negotiating effective, cost-saving coordinated infrastructure policies with the Executive Branch, state, local, and Tribal governments. Tom has also worked at telecommunications start-ups as an attorney and advocate for telecommunications competition and entry, building off his prior government experience at the FCC implementing the Telecommunications Act of 1996. Tom has published numerous articles on bridging the digital divide, universal service, and telecommunications economics, policy, and regulation, which can be found here (https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/cf_dev/AbsByAuth.cfm?per_id=503634).