Telecommunications

Skilled Representation in a High-Tech Industry

The Telecommunications Act of 1996 ignited a rapid expansion and deployment of technologies and services, attracting new competitors and creating a new landscape for documenting legal relationships and a potential for litigation. Saul Ewing's Telecommunications Practice Group represents a range of industry players and brings varied knowledge to bear on this evolving industry by virtue of the volume and complexity of the transactions we have handled. We represent clients who provide or purchase voice, video, data, and related services. Attorneys from all relevant legal areas with experience in telecommunications industry transactions and cases coordinate to provide counsel on a variety of matters, including areas such as:

• Telecommunications Systems Acquisitions and Dispositions
• Mergers and Acquisitions
• Co-Venture, Vendor and Customer Contracts
• Finance
• Zoning and Municipal Approvals
• Federal and State Permits and Regulatory Filings and Compliance
• Nationwide Litigation and Zoning Strategy and Implementation
• Environmental Permitting and Litigation
• Government Relations

Our attorneys are also experienced in transfers of telecommunications infrastructure and customers between fierce competitors in the commercial marketplace, as well as in the context of a bankruptcy.

Strategic Solutions: A Multi-Faceted Client List

The Telecommunications Practice Group's diverse client roster includes clients in various industry segments. We are experienced at looking at the industry from many directions. Our range of clients includes:

• Wireless and long distance carriers, CLECs
• ISPs and ASPs
• Cable operators
• Network infrastructure and equipment suppliers and developers
• Investors in the telecommunications industry
• Owners of multi-tenant properties
• Consumers of telecommunications services

Changing Technology: Facing New Complexities

We work in a range of client situations. In fiber optic transactions we represent firms providing fiber network right-of-way, selling fiber optic rights, and purchasing rights to use the strands. For competitive local exchange carriers seeking entry into new local markets where we provide service, we advocate application before local authorities, negotiate transfers and interconnection with incumbent carriers, and provide on-going regulatory representation. We handle Section 271 proceedings for a national long-distance firm to permit entry into the local service market. We provide counsel in the sale and acquisition of telephone and cable networks, including rolling local or regional footprints into national networks. We document provisioning of telecommunications infrastructure and services with vendors and consumers, ranging from construction and lease projects, to municipal approvals for tower companies, wireless service providers and right of way occupants, to customer service and maintenance agreements. We also provide counsel on trademark, copyright and other intellectual property rights issues.

In the evolving world of telecommunications, and indeed, as in any technology-driven industry, keeping up with legal changes can be challenging. Saul Ewing's Telecommunications Practice Group keeps current by staying involved in the industry. Many of our attorneys are active members of the Personal Communications Industry Association (PCIA), an organization that represents providers and vendors in the wireless telecommunications segment of the industry. We also participate in a variety of legal forums that focus on current issues affecting both the wireless and wireline segments of the industry. For example, we closely follow trends that impact our clients’ ability to obtain site approval for towers and antenna placement, including recent environment challenges such as avian mortality and historic site protection.

The complexity of telecommunications law demands access to specific knowledge during negotiation or litigation. Saul Ewing structures its practice to meet this need. Working in cross-disciplinary teams of attorneys with telecommunications industry focus and experience, our attorneys are able to advise clients on changes needed to conform to and succeed in an environment of evolving case law, legislation, and regulations.