Steven Spengler, Intelsat CEO. Photo: Intelsat.

Intelsat announced that the company’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Stephen Spengler, has been named a commissioner of the United Nations Broadband Commission for Sustainable Development.

The Broadband Commission, jointly managed by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) engages in high-level advocacy to promote broadband in developing countries and underserved communities. One of the central roles of the commission is to advocate for the development of broadband infrastructure and services, as a means to ensure that the benefits of connectivity technologies are realized in all countries. The commission promotes collaboration between governments and industry to devise strategies for deploying connectivity globally.

Comprised of leaders from government, industry, international organizations and academia, the Broadband Commission was established in 2010 as a top-level advocacy body promoting broadband as an accelerator of global development. President Paul Kagame of Rwanda and Mexico’s Carlos Slim Helu chair the commission.

“…I have seen first-hand how broadband connectivity and ICTs can transform and empower communities across the world. Simple and affordable access to information and broadband technology supports and drives economic growth, improves access to healthcare and education, and importantly, builds bridges across communities,” Spengler said in accepting the invitation.