In a bid to strengthen its workforce, Facebook Inc (NASDAQ:FB) has got on rolls Federal Communications Commission (FCC)’s former Chairman, Kevin Martin. Confirming the news, Facebook stated that Martin is being hired as the company’s mobile and global access policy Vice President, on the lines of his role in FCC. Facebook’s Vice President of Global Public Policy Joe Kaplan welcomed Kevin on board and said that Kevin’s expertise in the communications and technology policy making was an asset for the company.
Kaplan said that a creative and strategic insight that Martin had was also benefitted Facebook when he was a consultant, and the full-time portfolio would work wonders. Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg has recently been investing a lot of money in providing web services to inaccessible areas of the world to connect the entire world to the social networking site.
Facebook’s Internet.org Initiative
Called Internet.org, this unique campaign by Zuckerberg needs a lot of dealings with governments and thus, Facebook is building a strong team for the same. This is a move that many tech companies have been building upon to strengthen their tie-up with the governments and get a stronghold in the markets through the expertise of these senior officials.
Facebook is planning to experiment with Aquila drones powered by the sun for providing internet at very economical rates and replacement to the prevalent communication platforms. This will help it provide internet to lesser developed and developing countries of the world, especially in Africa and India. By getting on board Martin, the company is hoping to use his expertise and networking to build upon the dream.
Overcoming Regulatory Hurdles
The regulatory hurdle that the initiative may face in these countries is also something that Martin can help the company deal with the issue. The company stated that all developers who meet their technical regulations will have access to the internet under their scheme.
Meanwhile, Chief Privacy Officer Erin Egan has been promoted as Vice President of U.S. public policy and Washington D.C. office head of the company. The other government officials holding key positions in the company include Joe Kaplan, who served in the George Bush government. COO Sheryl Sandberg was with former Treasury Secretary Lawrence Summers.
