The Patton Boggs Technology and Communications (TechComm) practice serves the evolving needs of companies in the ever-converging digital, broadband marketplace. We believe there are three growth areas that are particularly critical to nationwide broadband deployment and we have a deep and experienced bench in all three areas: Spectrum Transactions (to enable a wireless third-pipe to the home), Universal Service Support and Network Infrastructure.

Spectrum Transactions: We have one of the only practices in the nation that is highly skilled in spectrum transactions, including spectrum leases and spectrum acquisitions, whether through secondary markets transactions or spectrum auctions conducted by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Our group is especially knowledgeable about all wireless regulatory and transactional matters that are central to deployment and operation of wireless broadband systems.

Universal Service Support: We also are proud to have developed the first practice in the nation dedicated to helping service providers – including telecommunications carriers, Internet access providers, network systems integrators and vendors – who participate in the E-Rate, Rural Health Care, and Low Income Programs through the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC).  We assist both service providers and applicants with federal compliance of the FCC regulations governing the Universal Service Support Mechanisms.

Network Infrastructure: We have an interdisciplinary team that is dedicated to serving the myriad legal and business needs of tower companies and wireless carriers who contract with tower companies. Our work includes real estate transactions (site leasing, tower leasing, tower sales, land use, and licensing issues) and compliance with environmental and safety laws, including the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA). We also assist tower companies with FCC and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulatory compliance and enforcement matters, and provide counsel regarding state and federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) complaints and investigations.

Our TechComm practice is further set apart from other communications practices because our team includes a number of former FCC leaders.  We are actively involved in the policy debates at the FCC, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), USAC, the Department of Commerce and in Congress that shape the regulations and laws that govern the technology and communications industries. Our firm is widely recognized as having the leading public policy and lobbying practice in the United States. We have a view of the law as it is evolving, which allows us to provide our clients both with an early understanding of how changes in the law may impact them, and with unique resources to advance their interests. Our policy and legislative work is complemented by the distinct combination of capabilities our attorneys have to advance our clients’ business objectives in multiple arenas, including transactions, regulatory and administrative law, government investigations, intellectual property, litigation, antitrust, bankruptcy, privacy and data-security related matters. Our interdisciplinary team, formed in conjunction with our Business Department, is knowledgeable in every type of transaction undertaken by communications and technology companies.  We have direct experience with the federal approval processes for major mergers and acquisitions in the communications industry.  We can effectively advise both parties to transactions, and parties that oppose transactions, about how to impact federal approvals that are needed from the FCC, the DOJ, the SEC and Congress before parties can consummate major transactions.

Federal Technology/Broadband/Smart Grid/Health Care IT Grants: Patton Boggs’ TechComm group includes some of the nation’s leading authorities in legal compliance issues arising under American Recovery and Reinvestment Act grant awards, including the former BTOP director of Compliance and Audits. We offer clients unmatched expertise and guidance as they navigate the vast, and often complicated, array of award terms and conditions that accompany these grant awards specifically due to compressed award timelines and milestones, as well as the heightened transparency and scrutiny that accompany the Recovery Act awards. We assist recipients, subrecipients and vendors with federal compliance issues governing federal grants and loans.

Our TechComm group represents, or has represented, clients in virtually every sector of the global information, technology and communications industry:

• Wireless broadband service providers and licensees
• Commercial Mobile Radio Service (CMRS) carriers
• Internet and other information service providers
• Voice over Internet Protocol service providers (VoIP)
• Consumer electronics, equipment and device manufacturers, corporate spectrum managers and research and development organizations
• Investors in the technology and communications industry (investment banks, venture capital firms, hedge funds and private equity)
• Software developers
• Telecommunications carriers, Internet Service Providers, network integrators, technology solutions providers, other internal connections providers, manufacturers and contributors participating in the FCC universal service support programs administered by USAC
• Wireless and broadcasting infrastructure (i.e., tower) companies
• Real estate developers
• Business and industrial radio licenses
• Public communications service (i.e., payphones) and inmate telephone service providers
• Bidders in FCC license auctions
• Cable companies and other multichannel video programming distributors (MVPDs)
• Radio and television broadcasters, including non-commercial broadcasters
• Trustees of bankrupt communications companies
• Divestiture trustees
• Satellite companies and resellers
• Paging companies
• Local exchange, competitive local exchange, long distance carriers and resellers
• Health care companies and consortia and telemedicine providers