Telecommunications

Industry Contacts

Telecommunications

Taft’s Telecommunications professionals have decades of experience in this constantly evolving field. We are experts in wireless and broadband policy, related local, State and Federal regulatory issues, cable franchising, real estate/zoning for the siting of telecommunications facilities, procuring right-of-way for fiber facilities, contract negotiation and drafting, and litigation, advising public and private companies in these areas on a daily and nationwide basis. Our attorneys represent our clients in Federal and State courts, as well as before Federal and State regulatory agencies. Our representation of these entities extends beyond telecommunications – we also represent them in mergers and acquisitions, divestitures, AI policy and compliance, telemarketing law compliance, entity formation, financing, labor negotiations, and dispute resolution across a wide array of claims..

We serve a varied client base of telecommunications entities, including FCC-licensed wireless carriers, network infrastructure and equipment providers, broadband, cable TV, and internet service providers, investors, property owners, and public utilities. Our clients include some of the largest telecommunications companies in North America, as well as small, privately-held companies.

We also assist businesses outside the telecommunications industry with the negotiation and enforcement of, and compliance with, telecommunications services agreements

Representative Experience

National and international M&A representation of wireless and cable companies.
Extensive federal court cases involving wireless and cable siting.
Representing wireless facilities providers in applying for, zoning, and siting of wireless facilities on a nationwide basis.
We represent industry organizations in regulatory proceedings that affect all of our telecommunications provider clients.
We are retained by owners of arenas, stadiums, and facilities of all sizes to advise on, negotiate, and document needed telecommunications solutions to allow data, voice, and video solutions accommodating use of wireless devices by many tens of thousands of fans simultaneously. Taft’s attorneys work includes negotiating agreements allowing the use of Distributed Antenna Systems and fiber solutions that can provide coverage at a massive scale.
Taft lawyers represent large telecommunications providers in complex litigation in federal courts across the U.S. on issues such as payment obligations for calls dialed to international destinations.
The installation of broadband facilities on the poles of a municipally-owned electric system led to disputes between the broadband provider, the municipality, the local telephone company, and others. Taft’s attorneys, using their multidisciplinary experience with federal and state regulatory requirements, broadband subsidy programs, and municipal law, guided the client through complex multi-party negotiations.
Taft’s attorneys were part of a team that secured victory, litigated from the U.S. District Court to the U.S. Supreme Court on the first test of state legislative authority over wireless rates and business practices.
Nationally recognized expertise in negotiating complex cable franchises with local regulatory authorities and their outside counsel.

Our team has extensive experience with regulatory litigation. As a leader in the developing area of universal service, we successfully obtained designation as an eligible telecommunications carrier (ETC) for numerous clients and developed regulatory compliance initiatives relating to universal service programs. We serve as regulatory counsel for various telecommunications providers and have participated in numerous rulemaking proceedings, agency investigations, and appeals of regulatory decisions to appellate courts.

Related Practices

Related Industries

The Internet and Social Media

Notable Matters

Negotiated numerous agreements for IT and telecommunications services.
Drafted, negotiated and administrated requests for proposals and agreements for distributed antenna systems serving professional sports facilities and convention centers.
On behalf of apartment building developer, negotiated telecommunications right-of-entry agreements with providers of telecommunications services.
Represented communications providers in federal courts in many states in disputes involving complex regulatory and network issues.
Advised and assisted on pole attachments and right-of-way matters, including the development, negotiation and administration of pole license agreements, NESC compliance, and administration of right-of-way ordinances.
Minnesota counsel for Minnesota Public Utilities Commission’s approval of merger of two large wireless carriers.
Advised start-up provider of business telephone services as to federal and state regulatory compliance obligations.
Advised clients on compliance with federal telemarketing, Telephone Consumer Practices Act (“TCPA”), and do-not-call requirements, and on compliance with all 50 states’ telemarketing and autodialing laws.
Represented long-distance company in federal court proceedings regarding intercarrier compensation dispute for Voice over Internet Protocol traffic.
Successfully helped a client respond to an investigatory subpoena issued by the Federal Communications Commission.
Represented a long-distance company in obtaining an injunction for a tribal court from adjudicating a tribal telephone company’s collection action.
Represented clients in public utility commission proceedings in over 30 states.
Obtained order from federal district court in California sanctioning plaintiff for spoliation of forensic evidence and ordering adverse jury instructions in complex litigation between telecommunications providers.
Represented wireless carriers in obtaining and maintaining ETC designation from the FCC and various state public utility commissions.