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Telecommunications Services
Telecommunications is a core practice area of Keller and Heckman LLP. We maintain a dynamic, full service telecommunications practice, meeting the diverse needs of our clients through expert, cost-effective service. We carefully manage our practice to ensure that our clients receive the maximum benefit of the skills and experience of our attorneys and licensing specialists. Keller and Heckman has established one of the leading practices before the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) on wireless licensing and policy matters. We are recognized experts in fixed, mobile and broadband wireless matters. We represent a diverse mix of clients in increasingly frequent and aggressive enforcement actions initiated by the FCC.
Keller and Heckman has also developed a leading national practice representing electric utilities in pole attachment regulation, negotiation and dispute resolution. We also negotiate access, marketing, and bulk service agreements on behalf of owners of multiple dwelling units (MDUs) and planned retirement communities. In both areas, our clients are adverse to the major cable operators and telecommunications carriers.
Other clients include integrated petroleum companies, pipeline operators, other Fortune 1000 firms, specialized broadband and telecommunications services providers, entities involved in the direct broadcast satellite industry, and trade associations having substantial interests in domestic and international telecommunications policy matters.
For decades, Keller and Heckman has advocated before the FCC and in appellate court proceedings in policy, enforcement and licensing matters. More recently, Keller and Heckman has represented clients in the following matters:
- Extending the Broadband Radio Service at 2.5 GHz into the Gulf of Mexico
- Establishing a domestic fixed wireless allocation at 3.65 GHz
- The 700 MHz Public Safety broadband and narrowband allocations
- The reconfiguration of the 800 MHz band to eliminate the risk of harmful interference to public safety and critical infrastructure radio systems and to compensate displaced licensees
- The relocation of incumbent microwave systems from the 2.1 GHz band to accommodate Advanced Wireless Service licensees
- The FCC`s comprehensive review of its longstanding pole attachment regulations and policies, and court appeals of the same
- Pole attachment legislation, rulemaking and dispute resolution proceedings in several states
- Wireless entities seeking Competitive Eligible Telecommunications Carrier (ETC) Certification by State Public Service Commissions in order to qualify for Universal Service Fund subsidies
- Representation of importers, distributors and retailers of consumer electronics products ensnared in the FCC`s far reaching enforcement initiatives related to the Digital Television (DTV) Transition
- Representing MDU owner interests in the FCC`s review of access arrangements, exclusive marketing agreements and bulk services agreements negotiated by MDU owners and telecommunications carriers and cable operators
Our telecommunications group is deeply involved in a wide range of wireless licensing matters principally before the FCC:
- Securing station authorizations, license assignments, transfers of control and rule waivers for fixed, mobile and broadband wireless systems. Keller and Heckman attorneys and licensing specialists work extensively with FCC staff to develop creative responses to meet the needs and requirements of our wireless clients
- Counseling on spectrum auctions conducted by the FCC, and radio license transfer, partitioning, disaggregation and leasing rules and procedures
- Drafting and negotiating spectrum leasing arrangements and acquisitions
- Assisting domestic and foreign clients in complying with the FCC`s rules governing RF equipment authorizations and approvals and indirect foreign ownership of entities holding or seeking wireless authorizations from the FCC
- Antenna tower related matters, including required filings and lighting and marking regulations of the Federal Aviation Administration, securing tower construction permits from state agencies and tower registrations with the FCC