October 11, 2022
Washington, D.C.—USTelecom announced today that Nirali Patel will be the association’s new senior vice president of policy and advocacy. She joins USTelecom from Comcast Corporation, where she was vice president of regulatory affairs representing the company’s interests before the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and other federal agencies.
Patel will lead the association’s advocacy efforts before The White House and executive branch, regulatory agencies, courts, and other government entities in Washington, D.C. and beyond.
“Nirali will be a terrific leader for USTelecom’s policy and advocacy team and is a great addition to our senior management,” said USTelecom President and CEO Jonathan Spalter. “Her combination of policy and regulatory experience will be an asset for our member companies and will help guide the association’s vital work at this critical time for connectivity.”
Patel has worked extensively on communications policy issues in both the public and private sectors. She previously served in several senior roles at the FCC, including as wireline advisor, special counsel to Chairman Ajit Pai, and legal advisor to Commissioner Brendan Carr. She also served as deputy chief of the competition policy division in the FCC’s Wireline Competition Bureau. Before joining the FCC, Patel was counsel in the Technology, Media, and Telecommunications practice of Hogan Lovells. Prior to that, she practiced communications law at Willkie Farr & Gallagher and Sidley Austin.
“USTelecom’s member companies are at the forefront of connecting America’s communities and businesses to the power of broadband-enabled innovation. I am honored to represent these companies and excited to join the USTelecom team as we focus on a once-in-a-generation opportunity to expand the reach of affordable, high-speed broadband across the country,” said Patel.
She assumes her new role on October 24, 2022.