Wireline Communications

Our wireline communications members represent a wide range of clients, including competitive local exchange carriers, integrated communications providers, Internet service providers, application service providers, trade associations, large users of telecommunications services, project management companies and investment firms. We advise and represent these clients in domestic and international business transactions, as well as in regulatory, legislative and litigation matters before Congress, the Federal Communications Commission, Department of Justice, Federal Trade Commission, and other executive branch agencies, as well as state public utility commissions and state and federal courts.

Mintz Levin attorneys were instrumental in shaping the Telecommunications Act of 1996 and have been at the forefront of the issues surrounding the implementation of the competitive framework mandated by the Act and the litigation resulting from the Act. In this respect, we have particular expertise in advising clients how legislative proposals affecting carriers' broadband service offerings may shape the competitive landscape.

We assist major communications companies in all aspects of their telecommunications and broadband entry strategies, including negotiating interconnection, peering and revenue sharing agreements, and serving as regulatory counsel for mergers, acquisitions, initial public offerings, distressed telecommunications asset purchases, and a multitude of other transactions. Mintz Levin also provides counsel on federal and state regulatory issues surrounding the provision of services within the intrastate, interstate and international telecommunications markets, including universal service, rights-of-way, building and network access, slamming, international settlements policy, voice-over Internet protocol services, and the preparation and filing of state and federal regulatory reports.

Representative interconnection issues negotiated and arbitrated by our attorneys are listed here.

Specific state-by-state examples of the firm's experience in interconnection negotiation and arbitration matters may be viewed here.