Ofcom appoints new spectrum lead

After former appointment Dan Lloyd was unable to take up the position as director of Ofcom’s Spectrum Group due to family reasons, Ofcom has turned to BlackBerry and Nortel Networks director David Willis to assume the role.

In his new position, Willis will be tasked with ensuring the efficient use of the UK’s wireless spectrum including overseeing the sale or release of spectrum for new services such as 5G mobile and climate mapping.

Willis will join from the Canadian government’s Communications Research Centre, where he led research into advanced wireless telecommunications and spectrum management. Before this, he led the Spectrum Engineering and Planning team at Innovation Science and Economic Development Canada having held leadership roles in product management, operations and engineering at BlackBerry and Nortel.

Commenting on his appointment, Willis said: “It is a pleasure to be joining Ofcom to lead its experienced and innovative team of spectrum management professionals. I am looking forward to working with Melanie and the rest of the Ofcom team to support and enable the wireless services that are vitally important to our lives."