NTIA chief Alan Davidson said he will be stepping down from his post on January 20, 2025, the same day FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel leaves as part of the new administration changes. CTIA President and CEO Meredith Atwell Baker, above, also announced that she’ll be leaving her post when her contract expires in 2025, but CTIA did not provide a specific date, stating that Baker will continue to lead CTIA until a successor is found.
In a significant shakeup for U.S. telecommunications policy and advocacy, Meredith Attwell Baker, President and CEO of CTIA, and Alan Davidson, Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information at the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), have both announced their departures, effective 2025. The exit of these two prominent leaders marks a transformative moment for the industry as it faces pivotal challenges and opportunities in the years ahead.
Meredith Attwell Baker, who has led CTIA since 2014, will step down after over a decade at the helm of the wireless industry’s leading trade association. During her tenure, Baker was instrumental in shaping the policies that supported the expansion of 5G networks, advocating for spectrum allocation, and ensuring the U.S. remained a global leader in wireless technology. A former FCC Commissioner, Baker has been a driving force behind regulatory strategies that have fostered innovation and competition within the sector. Her legacy includes her advocacy for a connected future that prioritizes innovation, security, and growth.
Baker’s contributions to the wireless industry have been widely recognized. In 2023, she was inducted into the Wireless Hall of Fame, honoring her dedication to the cellular industry.
Baker holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Washington & Lee University and a law degree from the University of Houston. She is a member of the Texas State Bar. She has been recognized throughout her career for her leadership and influence, including being named among Washingtonian’s Most Powerful Women in Washington and Fierce Wireless’s Most Powerful People in Wireless.
Alan Davidson, who has been the Administrator of NTIA since January 2022, will leave his post after overseeing several landmark initiatives to expand broadband access and manage the nation’s spectrum resources. Under his leadership, NTIA implemented the $42.5 billion Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program, a key initiative to close the digital divide by delivering high-speed internet to underserved communities. Davidson also launched the development of a National Spectrum Strategy to ensure the United States remains at the forefront of wireless innovation.
Industry stakeholders have acknowledged Davidson’s contributions. The Competitive Carriers Association noted that decisions made at NTIA under Davidson’s leadership have significantly impacted competitive carriers, particularly concerning broadband provisions and spectrum coordination.
The departure of these two influential leaders highlights the transitional period the telecommunications industry faces as it grapples with challenges such as expanding broadband access, securing adequate spectrum resources, and preparing for the next wave of technological advancements, such as 6G and AI-driven connectivity.
Since successors for both roles have yet to be named, industry stakeholders are closely watching to see who will step into these pivotal positions during a critical time for global digital competitiveness.
