David N. Townsend is an internationally recognized expert in telecommunications and ICT policy, regulation, economics, and strategic development. He has over 25 years’ experience in the field, including extensive focus on regulatory frameworks, competitive market development, universal access and broadband strategies in more than forty countries. He has conducted dozens of technical assistance and market analysis projects for governments, the World Bank, the International Telecommunication Union, the Asian and African Development Banks, as well as international corporations and advocacy groups.

Mr. Townsend is author of numerous studies, reports, and papers on the policy and economics of communications development. He has also delivered workshops and capacity building to hundreds of ICT industry stakeholders and public officials. He is author of the ITU Model Universal Service Fund, Team Leader for the United Nations WSIS Task Force on Financial Mechanisms, member of the World Bank/Regulated Universal Access study team, Project Leader for the ADB/ITU Rural ICT study, and contributing author to the InfoDev ICT Regulation Handbook. Since 2010, he has served as the lead expert on universal service funds and broadband strategy development for USAID’s Global Broadband and Innovations program.