Telecommunications

Carriers and Resellers
Pillsbury has been representing telecommunications service providers for nearly a century, and current members of our Communications group have  been at the forefront of telecommunications issues for more than 20 years. We represent local and long distance communications carriers before the FCC and state public utility commissions, as well as in litigation matters before state and federal courts and agencies. Regulatory representation includes licensing, preparation of tariffs, compliance filings, response to consumer complaints and requests for cooperation from law enforcement agencies, and preparation of comments in rulemaking proceedings. We also prepare and negotiate a wide variety of contracts for our carrier clients, including interconnection and access agreements, as well as customer contracts and agency and distribution agreements.

Voice Over IP (VoIP)
We have played an integral role in developing the body of law that will govern the new services delivered over the Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP). We represent individual companies and the leading VoIP trade association, counseling clients on the rapidly developing international, federal, and state regulatory environments for this technology. Our work in this area includes representation of clients in rulemaking proceedings before the FCC, state public utility commissions, the International Telecommunications Union, and the Canadian Radio and Telecommunications Commission. Pillsbury partners regularly speak on VoIP issues at industry conferences.

Broadband Over Power Lines
Broadband over power lines (BPL) is an exciting technology that may deliver high-speed Internet connections to rural and other areas not served by other providers. We represent a leading manufacturer of BPL equipment and have been active in FCC proceedings to determine the proper regulatory structure for this new service. We have also prepared experimental filings used in connection with the testing of BPL equipment.

Telecommunications Transactions and Procurements
Pillsbury represents large users of telecommunications in the negotiation of service agreements with carriers. We guide clients through the complex and ever-changing regulatory structure, including the myriad fees and taxes passed through by carriers.

Wireless
Pillsbury has been involved in the wireless field since the industry’s inception. We have the depth of experience that can only come from handling over $100 billion in wireless-related transactions, and numerous high-profile cases and regulatory proceedings, in the last decade alone. We regularly represent buyers and sellers in transactions involving the transfer of wireless licenses, including drafting and negotiating purchase agreements, providing advice on regulatory matters, and filing FCC applications. We have also drafted and negotiated numerous tower facility leases for wireless service providers, and negotiated over $1 billion of tower monetization transactions on behalf of a major wireless operator. Our lawyers have substantial experience in structuring and negotiating wireless resale and distribution relationships, including mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) contracts and wireless joint ventures around the world. In addition, we have represented both an MSS operator and a satellite radio operator in obtaining the authority to operate terrestrial base stations to reuse satellite spectrum for voice, data, or audio entertainment services in urban areas.