IEEE ComSoc International Communications Quality and Reliability Workshop
13 May 2021 // Virtual Event

Keynotes

Dan Sjöblom, Director General of the Swedish Post and Telecom Authority (PTS)

Appointed by the Swedish Government, Dan Sjöblom is the Director-General of the Swedish Post and Telecom Authority (PTS) since February 1, 2017.

During 2020, he was the Chair of the Body of European Regulators for Electronic Communications (BEREC) and serves as a vice Chair in 2021 responsible for international cooperation. In 2020 he also chaired the ITU GSR. Mr. Sjöblom is also during 2021 the vice Chair of EU and EaP electronic communications regulatory platform (EaPeReg).

Prior to taking up his position at PTS, Mr. Sjöblom was the Director General of the Swedish Competition Authority from 2009 to 2017.

He is also board member of the Swedish Broadband Council.

Mr. Sjöblom performed various functions as a civil servant at the European Commission between 1996-2009. He holds a Master of Laws from Stockholm University.

Video Link

Edward “Smitty” Smith, Managing Partner, DLA Piper

Edward “Smitty” Smith is a well-known and highly respected former FCC official. He focuses his practice on telecommunications matters and advises clients on the full range of issues in the wireless and satellite sectors, including spectrum policy, auctions, regulatory actions, equipment approvals, rulemakings and enforcement.Smitty’s experience has made him a leading advisor to clients on issues before the FCC, the U.S. Department of Justice, Congress, state regulators, and state attorneys general. He has advised clients on major telecommunications mergers, successfully obtained regulatory merger approvals at the federal and state levels, negotiated settlements with state attorneys general, and represented clients in meetings with congressional members and staff. Smitty has also led international market entry projects in over 50 countries.

Prior to joining DLA Piper, Smitty was Legal Advisor to the Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission. Smitty advised the FCC Chairman on wireless telecommunications, engineering and technology, and consumer affairs. Smitty also oversaw FCC policymaking on such issues as 5G technology, satellites, spectrum sharing, autonomous vehicle communications, small-cell deployment and unmanned aviation systems. Previously, Smitty served as Chief of Staff and Senior Counsel of the Incentive Auction Task Force, a multibillion-dollar radio spectrum reallocation project.

Smitty is also a former Special Advisor at the US Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration. As Special Advisor, Smitty launched the agency’s State Broadband Data and Development Grant Program, a US$350 million grant program to improve the quality of broadband data nationwide.
Video Link