Transactions Appellate Litigation Strategic Counsel |
WMN assists communications and media companies whose interests are affected by the FCC, the National Telecommunications & Information Agency, the Rural Utilities Service, the FAA, the Department of Treasury, the Department of Justice, and other federal agencies. FCC-regulated services represented by the firm's clients include broadcast (television and radio), cable, satellite, and the array of fixed wireless and mobile technologies (including MDS, ITFS, LMDS, 39 GHz, MVDS, PCS, and WCS).
The firm implements client strategies in rulemaking proceedings, negotiated rulemakings, policy inquiries, administrative mediations, declaratory rulings, and related matters; assists clients in identifying spectrum opportunities, securing new channel allotments, and resolving complex channel placement issues; prepares and prosecutes applications for station licenses and facilities changes, rule waivers and special temporary authority; and helps clients acquire experimental authority to test innovative services or technologies, and obtain new equipment authorizations.
We apprise clients of regulatory developments, reporting and other deadlines, and recommend audit and operating procedures for ensuring that compliance becomes a seamless aspect of a company's day-to-day operations. We also advise clients in circumstances where actions by regulators, or the use of agency processes by third parties (such as petitions to deny), may jeopardize a client's interest. In circumstances where enforcement action against a client is threatened or taken, we provide strategy and litigation counsel.
Among other substantive areas, the firm advises telecommunications clients in matters relating to the provisioning of video, data, and Internet access services utilizing broadband platforms, the variety of issues involving spectrum auctions, spectrum lease negotiations, the preparation and advocacy of loan applications before the Rural Utilities Service, and ADA-related issues involving video and data transmissions. For the firm's broadcast and media clients we provide assistance in areas such as program exclusivity, children's television program requirements, must-carry and program exclusivity rights, concentration of media ownership, the architecture and licensing of digital television, Class A television licensing, political advertising, First Amendment, and cross-border and treaty issues. We also give guidance concerning the effects of radio facilities on the environment. This area includes issues such as radio frequency emission limits at tower sites, FAA and BLM coordination, zoning and land use determinations, and wetlands and historic preservation matters. |
