Contact:
Cheryl A. Tritt
Morrison & Foerster’s premier communications and media law practice offers clients a depth and breadth of expertise in the
regulatory and transactional aspects of the communications and mass media sectors. The lawyers in this practice possess decades
of experience in all facets of communications and media law serving the following sectors: wireless services both domestic
and international (including cellular telephone, personal communications services (PCS), wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi), mobile
satellite, direct broadcast satellite, and air-to-ground); competitive domestic and international wireline services; and broadcasters.
Clients include T-Mobile USA, Clearwire Communications, ALLTEL Communications, and ICO Global Communications.
Federal Telecommunications Policy and Regulation
Morrison & Foerster regularly advises clients regarding compliance with federal telecommunications regulations, as well as
development of strategic policy positions and analysis of changing business opportunities created by evolving federal policies
and regulations.
The firm represents wireless, wireline, broadcasters, and information services companies in rulemaking proceedings and complaint
proceedings before the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). The firm has been deeply involved in most major proceedings
before the FCC regarding implementation of the 1996 Act and new spectrum policies and procedures.
State Telecommunications Regulation and Licensing
Morrison & Foerster represents telecommunications clients before state regulatory authorities to obtain the authorizations
necessary to provide their services in each jurisdiction. The firm also represents new competitors in rulemaking and arbitration
proceedings before state public utility commissions addressing market-opening and other competition issues.
The firm has in-depth experience regarding the rules and procedures governing transfers of control of certificated carriers,
assignments of certificates and other instruments of authorization, name changes, universal service contributions and annual
reporting, and other filing requirements imposed by state telecommunications regulatory bodies.
International Policy and Transactions
Morrison & Foerster provides skilled representation to both U.S. and non-U.S. companies seeking to expand into world markets.
The firm regularly represents and counsels U.S. companies regarding non-U.S. regulatory requirements, and also counsels numerous
non-U.S. clients regarding both U.S. and international regulations.
The firm’s communications attorneys have also been called upon to counsel foreign governments on the introduction of competition
and other regulatory matters in the communications marketplace.
Mass Media Policy and Regulation
The firm has substantial experience in all aspects of mass media policy and regulation, including broadcast, cable, wireless
cable, and direct-to-home satellite.
The firm represents both commercial and non-commercial radio and television broadcast stations in all matters before the FCC,
including compliance with the legal requirements for political broadcasting, indecency in broadcasting, children’s television,
facilities modifications, new station construction and licensing, technical operations, and approvals of the purchase and
sale of broadcast station licenses.
Morrison & Foerster has extensive experience with contested renewal proceedings, challenges to local marketing agreements,
purchase and sale agreements involving broadcast properties, transactions requiring waivers of various FCC rules, new and
modified channel allotment proceedings, and contested technical modifications.
Representative Matters
- Represented Deutsche Telekom AG’s T-Mobile unit in the U.S. on the regulatory aspects of its agreement to buy SunCom Wireless
for $1.6 billion and debt.
- Advised Alltel Corporation in connection with the regulatory aspects of Alltel's agreement to be acquired by TPG Capital and
GS Capital Partners in a transaction valued at approximately $27.5 billion, the largest private equity acquisition in the
wireless industry.
- Represented Alltel Corporation in the $1.9 billion purchase of Midwest Wireless Holdings, L.L.C.
- Represented DoCoMo USA in its acquisition of a controlling interest in two Guam wireless companies, marking DoCoMo's first
entry into the U.S. market as a controlling party.
- Represent Clearwire Corporation, a next generation wireless broadband company, in both acquiring licenses and formulating
regulatory policies.
- Represents the Alfred Mann Foundation in identifying scarce radio spectrum frequencies and seeking approval for their use
in a ground-breaking technology invented by the Foundation, which uses a radio network injected into the body to assist paralyzed
patients in performing various functions, including walking and arm movements.
