As the Communications, Internet, and Technology industries converge, Jenner & Block is at the forefront of rapid business and regulatory change. We represent clients pursuing large mergers and other transactions, entering new industries, navigating new regulations and government enforcement, and creating new products and services. We are known for tackling particularly difficult problems and bet-the-company matters that require our unique combination of top legal skills, hands-on FCC experience, and commitment to work wherever and whenever needed to achieve our clients’ goals.
For more than four decades, our Communications, Internet, and Technology practice has achieved major successes for clients on some of the most significant communications matters before the FCC, DOJ, other agencies, and courts. Representing cable/broadband, wireless, Internet, satellite, and technology companies, as well as private equity investors, we have negotiated industry-leading transactions and prevailed in wide-ranging litigation, regulatory proceedings, and agency enforcement actions.
Experience
Policy, Regulatory Strategy, and Enforcement Defense
- Represent providers and private equity in numerous transactions where FCC and other telecom regulatory approvals are required, including representing a nationwide wireless provider in $43 billion merger, as well as supporting FCC licensees in the successful sale of a combined spectrum portfolio to a major wireless operator for $3.5 billion.
- Represent terrestrial and satellite service providers, trade associations, new entrants, and investors before the FCC, Congress, and in federal court a wide range of communications policy matters, including net neutrality, data security, spectrum acquisition, orbital resource acquisition and management, financial subsidies, emergency communications, interoperability, standards development, authorization of new technologies, network resiliency, and deployment.
- Defend telecom providers against FCC enforcement actions, including investigating alleged wrongful acceptance of millions of dollars in universal service subsidies.
- Represent clients in matters related to the FCC’s comprehensive review of the role of states and localities in permitting and fee requirements applicable to the deployment of advanced wired and wireless broadband facilities.
Network infrastructure
- Lead efforts to provide a framework for mapping broadband data and provide federal support to connect underserved areas and advise on a variety of issues ranging from rural call completion, universal service, and broadband mapping before the FCC and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration.
- Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local tower and antenna siting requirements, including environmental considerations with the National Environmental Policy Act and the National Historic Preservation Act.
Terrestrial wireless
- Advocate for new spectrum allocations and service rules that increase wireless-service density, reduce regulatory risk, and encourage investment; support negotiations of cross-border spectrum use agreements among the administrations of the United States, Canada, and Mexico to promote efficient use of spectrum along international borders free of interference; and negotiate spectrum-access arrangements in the secondary market, including purchases, leases, and encroachments.
- Support applicants in FCC-designed forward and reverse auctions for spectrum and financial support throughout the auction lifecycle, including auction design, short- and long-form applications, prohibited communications compliance, and post-auction substantial service. Advised client in winning over $1 billion in subsidies from an FCC auction to connect unserved, rural areas with broadband.
Aerospace systems
- Help aerospace companies secure spectrum and orbital resources to support global satellite systems, launch vehicles, and on-ground testing.
- Help develop and observe rules for space safety, including orbital debris mitigation and remediation strategies, on-orbit deconfliction, and de-orbit casualty expectations compliance.
Co-Chairs
Co-Chairs