Robert Pepper

Robert Pepper received his BA and PhD from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and is Head of Global Connectivity Policy and Planning at Meta (formerly Facebook) helping lead their worldwide connectivity and technology policy, focusing on strategies to promote innovation and investment in infrastructure and connectivity leading to Internet inclusivity. Previously as Cisco’s Vice President for Global Technology Policy, Pepper helped governments develop national digital strategies. Before that, he led the Federal Communications Commission’s strategy office developing policies to promote the development of the Internet, competition in fixed and mobile telecommunications and the transition to digital television. He also led the domestic policy office at the National Telecommunications and Information Administration.  He has also held faculty positions at the Universities of Iowa, Indiana, and Pennsylvania and is a member of advisory boards at Columbia University and Michigan State University as well as a member of various industry and government boards including the Internet Society, the OpenRAN Policy Coalition, the U.S. Telecommunications Training Institute, and the UK’s OFCOM Spectrum Advisory Board.