Telecommunications

Alston & Bird is at the forefront of the convergence of telecommunications, the Internet and media-related services.  We offer our clients the expertise needed to navigate the dynamic evolution of the legal and policy paradigm governing communications services, technology, and the deployment of new services and applications.

EXPERIENCE

We advocate a  variety of legislative initiatives for the telecommunications industry on Capitol Hill, in various state legislatures and before local city councils in both the lobbying and legislative counsel capacity.

• Negotiation of content- and programming-related agreements, cable franchise agreements, and advocacy of pro-competition cable video policies on the federal, state and local levels, including during policymakers’ consideration of several of the largest cable mergers to date
• Negotiation of regulatory compliance solutions in the context of new rulemakings or enforcement proceedings
• Domestic and cross-border commercial transactions, mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, joint marketing agreements, public and private debt and equity transactions, due diligence reviews, and preparation of opinion letters for public and private investments in telecommunications and media companies
• Execution of targeted strategies to counter business, legal and regulatory barriers erected by client competitors.  These strategies include outreach to policy makers on the federal, state, and local levels of government and the advocacy of counter-policy solutions
• Organization and representation of industry and cross-industry coalitions on issues related to broadband deployment, corporate fraud and bankruptcy, privacy and data security, and the business aspects of the Internet
• Representation of international carriers and overseas governments that require assistance in privatizing telecommunications networks or establishing legal and regulatory frameworks for developing telecommunications systems
• Representation of communications clients in appeals of FCC decisions before various U.S. courts of appeal

AHEAD OF THE CURVE

Alston & Bird positions itself ahead of the curve in the field of telecommunications and media law and policy in order to anticipate our clients' needs, rather than merely responding to events in today’s complex legal environment and rapidly evolving marketplace.