By: Laura Phillips
Dr. Paroma Sanyal is a Principal at The Brattle Group, where she co-leads the Telecommunications, Media & Entertainment practice. With extensive expertise in telecommunications regulation, spectrum policy, broadband, competition, consumer protection, and intellectual property, she advises clients on a range of regulatory and litigation matters. Before joining Brattle in 2018, Dr. Sanyal served as the Chief Economist of the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau at the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). She also held academic positions at Brandeis University and has contributed to policy discussions through publications and speaking engagements at industry conferences. I’ve known Paroma for quite a while and I’ve really enjoyed working together on several client engagements over the years. I was thrilled to be able to feature her in this month’s newsletter. I also really enjoyed our lunch catch-up.
Q. What attracted you to the field of communications?
A. I’ve always been interested in applied economics, and my PhD research focused on energy-related issues, so when I started thinking about moving out of academia, energy policy felt like a natural direction. But as I explored it more, I found that a lot of the really interesting work in that space was happening at the state level—not quite where I wanted to be. Around the same time, I started learning more about telecom and was immediately drawn in. The field is incredibly dynamic, with constant technological and regulatory change, and the economic questions are both complex and impactful. What really sealed it for me was the opportunity to work on the FCC’s spectrum auctions—they’re an economist’s dream, blending market design, game theory, and real-world stakes in a way that few other policy areas do. That combination of intellectual challenge and real policy relevance made the constantly evolving field of telecommunications the perfect fit for me.
Q. Tell us about the various places you’ve worked through the years.
A. I was an Assistant Professor at Brandeis University, where I taught in both the Economics Department and the International Business School. I then moved to the Federal Communications Commission, where I held several roles across the Office of Strategic Planning and the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau, eventually serving as Chief Economist of the Wireless Bureau. While I treasured my time at the FCC, I left the agency in 2018 to join The Brattle Group, where currently I co-lead the Telecommunications, Media, and Entertainment practice.
Q. Have things unfolded in your career more or less the way you planned?
A. As a PhD economist, the typical career paths you consider are academia or economic consulting—when I started out I certainly didn’t imagine I’d one day be the Chief Economist of the FCC’s Wireless Bureau. That role wasn’t part of some grand plan, but it ended up being one of the most defining experiences of my career thus far. It challenged me in new ways, pushed me to think more practically about economic theory, and gave me the opportunity to work on real-world problems with immediate policy impact. In many ways, it shaped who I am professionally and made me a stronger, more well-rounded economist.
Q. What’s the most interesting or challenging thing that you’ve done in your current position?
A. One of the most interesting—and most challenging—things I’ve done in my current role was making the transition from the FCC to consulting. The two jobs are very different, even though the subject matter often overlaps and in both I tend to collaborate with attorneys and often engineers in addition to economists. I remember walking into early client meetings after I joined Brattle, and every few sentences, my internal regulator brain would be shouting, “No, you can’t do that!” This dissonance between regulatory experience and the real or perceived needs of clients really pushed me to step back and understand that there are multiple perspectives, and that each has its own logic and constraints. Learning to see the issues through those different lenses has been incredibly valuable and has honestly made me a much better economist.
Q. Is or was there something interesting or someone who surprised or impressed you during your career and why?
A. People have really been at the heart of my personal and professional journey—I honestly stand on the shoulders of giants. My PhD advisor, Dr. Linda Cohen, introduced me to my very first telecom book, Talk Is Cheap by her advisor, Dr. Roger Noll. At the time, I didn’t think much of it, but looking back, it feels like an early sign of where I was headed. At the FCC, I was lucky to work with and learn from incredible people like Ruth Milkman, Paul de Sa, Roger Sherman, Jon Wilkins and Jonathan Levy. Chris Helzer, Julie Knapp and Evan Kwerel pretty much taught me everything I know about the industry. And my colleague now, Dr. Coleman Bazelon, has been a big influence both professionally and at a personal level—when he hired me, he said, “I’ll give you enough rope to hang us both with.” That kind of trust meant a lot and has really stuck with me, as have the other great insights and advice I got from mentors throughout my career.
Q. What do you enjoy reading?
A. I enjoy reading both fiction and non-fiction, but over the past few years, I’ve definitely found myself leaning more towards non-fiction. The last three books I read were On the Edge by Nate Silverman, The Truth Will Set You Free, But First It Will Piss You Off! by Gloria Steinem, and Elon Musk by Walter Isaacson. That said, I still enjoy a good novel—The President Is Missing by Bill Clinton and James Patterson is a fun and gripping read – and very West-Wingish for the West Wing fans out there.
Q. Is there something (a hobby or other tidbit) people don’t know about you that you are willing to share?
A. Something people might not know about me is that I run a South Asian cultural organization that focuses on dance—it’s a big passion of mine. I also love cooking elaborate Indian dishes when I have the time. I’m an avid traveler, and a bit of a telecom nerd—I actually enjoy reading up on obscure telecom facts. Recently, I’ve even started collecting old telephones… it’s turning into a fun (and expensive) hobby!
Q. Can you share your perspective on the pitfalls to avoid or other career advice for those who are just getting started in the communications field?
A. One piece of advice I’d give to anyone starting out in the communications field is—don’t get stuck in your own bubble. It’s easy to come in with a strong technical or policy background and think you know how things should work, but this field is full of different perspectives, and it’s so important to stay open to them. Whether you’re in government, industry, or consulting, listening and learning from others—especially those who don’t think like you—can be incredibly valuable. Also, don’t underestimate the importance of relationships. So much of this work is built on trust and collaboration. And finally, be curious! This is a fast-moving, ever-evolving space—there’s always something new to learn if you’re paying attention.
Q. How has your life changed as a result of COVID-19 and what are you looking forward to doing next?
A. COVID really made me realize just how important human interaction is—and how much we learn from just being around each other. That’s why I try to go to as many FCBA events in person as I can. Every time I’m there, I make an effort to really connect with people on a personal level. It’s more than just networking—it helps me understand different perspectives, which is so important in figuring out what clients need and in being a good telecom economist. I’m really looking forward to working on the exciting policy changes coming down the pipeline and helping my clients navigate the challenges —and of course, more spectrum auctions!
Q. How long have you been an FCBA member, and what to you is the value of FCBA membership?
A. I have been a member for almost 5 years. Being a member of the FCBA has been incredibly valuable, both professionally and personally. It offers a unique platform for knowledge sharing and staying current on legal, regulatory, and economic developments in the communications space. The breadth of expertise within the membership—from seasoned practitioners to attorneys and policymakers —creates rich opportunities for learning and collaboration. FCBA events and conferences are particularly useful, not just for the high-quality content but also for the chance to connect with others working on similar issues across the industry. It’s a great way to stay engaged with the broader communications policy community and to be part of the ongoing conversations that shape the field. I also really enjoy the FCBA random coffee chats — they’re a fantastic way to build new connections and meet people across the communications community.