Broadband Services Attorneys

Overview

The Telecommunications & Broadband Service Practice is Washington, DC’s leading provider of communications advice to large and small telecommunications companies, including broadband, infrastructure, internet service providers (ISPs), equipment manufacturers, private investors, and trade associations. In addition to its deep experience on traditional telecommunications issues facing wireline companies, the Practice is at the forefront of the full scope of regulatory challenges facing providers of broadband and IP-enabled services. Attorneys represent clients in a broad range of proceedings before Congress, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), the Federal Trade Commission, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), the United States Department of Agriculture/Rural Utilities Service, the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC), and state regulatory agencies. Attorneys have substantive expertise in the federal and state regulatory requirements that apply to telecommunications services, broadband and IP-enabled services, Ethernet, broadband data services (BDS), and emerging technologies, including unified communications, Internet of Things (IoT), and the rules governing Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP).

The Practice advises clients regarding mergers and acquisitions, investment and financing, infrastructure deployment, and product development. Attorneys in the group conduct regulatory due diligence, develop and implement public policy strategies, and obtain any necessary federal and state regulatory approvals in connection with such transactions.

Our attorneys also draft and negotiate a range of commercial agreements – including end user and wholesale contracts – for both buyers and sellers of communications services. These agreements cover a variety of services, including domestic and international voice, dedicated access, private line, Ethernet, MPLS, IP-based transport, roaming, and Wi-Fi.

Our capabilities include:

Rulemaking and administrative proceedings
Interconnection agreements and disputes
Consumer complaints
Section 214 discontinuance of service
Federal and state licensing and authorizations
USAC audits and appeals
Annual regulatory reports and certifications
Supply chain
National security
CFIUS/Team Telecom
Universal Service Fund (USF) contributions
FCC auctions for High Cost support (e.g., Rural Digital Opportunity Fund, Phase I)
Lifeline program
Schools and Libraries (E-Rate) program
Rural Health Care program
FCC Robocall regulatory compliance
Investigations & enforcement
Tariffs
Foreign ownership
Submarine cables
Litigation
Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA)
Pole attachment and infrastructure deployment
Broadband regulation, including net neutrality requirements
Customer privacy
Mergers and acquisitions
Commercial transactions
VoIP regulations