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• The Growing Use of Open Source Software in the Telecommunications Industry: Benefits & Risks
• Sullivan & Worcester Adds New Telecommunications Partner
• Sullivan & Worcester Forms Telecommunications Practice

• Your Digital Tax Future is Virtually Here

• The Growing Use of Open Source Software in the Telecommunications Industry: Benefits & Risks

Telecommunications

The communications industry continues to be a major area of innovation and growth — and a challenging and exciting business environment. Traditional providers are moving into new areas, as new market entrants work to anticipate competitive trends. Sullivan & Worcester LLP’s Telecommunications Group is comprised of industry veterans who have been advising leaders in the field regarding the regulatory and business implications of the growth opportunities created by the federal Telecommunications Act since its inception in 1996. 

The telecommunications attorneys and affiliated consultant based in our Washington, D.C. office provide results-oriented representation to telecommunications clients of all sizes and types, including triple-play broadband, local exchange carrier, interexchange carrier, cable, VoIP, wireless, specialty service, wholesale, retail and fiber-optic infrastructure companies. Our representation encompasses regulatory compliance advice and policy advocacy before Congress, the FCC, FTC, NTIA, DOJ and USAC; before state legislatures and public utility commissions; at the local level; and in litigation. The S&W Telecom Group also has extensive experience with telecommunications taxation and financing, including issues unique to the telecommunications sector. With the Team leaders based in Washington D.C., our proximity to regulatory agencies and Capitol Hill allows us to anticipate and respond quickly to important developments, and to provide our clients with up-to-the-minute contacts and insight.

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Representative Client Work

The following are just a few examples of significant telecommunications matters on which S&W lawyers have assisted clients:

• Counsel to leading facilities-based competitive providers of bundled cable, high-speed Internet and phone (“triple play”) services on cable franchising, open video systems (OVS), telephony, VoIP, cable modem, privacy compliance, competition policy, program access and copyright regulatory matters
• Developed and reviewed CPNI policies and procedures for multiple regulated telecom carriers, including preparing call center scripts, customer notices and annual compliance certifications
• Prepared and filed wireless licensing applications for satellite service providers and private carrier networks and counseled competitive wireless ISPs on unlicensed technical operational requirements
• Successfully defended a provider of specialty services in FCC, public utility commission and state attorney general investigations concerning non-traditional, proprietary service model
• Developed required Web page, information packet and sample leased access agreement for multiple cable operators, pursuant to new FCC leased access channel rules
• Applied for and obtained approval of a $38 million USDA rural utility service (RUS) broadband loan for a facilities-based telecommunications start-up
• Negotiated a multimillion-dollar settlement of a breach of contract action on behalf of a telecommunications industry manufacturer
• Counseled the Multistate Tax Commission in the development of the model telecommunications income tax statute
• Represented a well-known VoIP carrier in evaluating taxes and tax-like fees that may be applicable to VoIP telecommunications
• Counseled cable operator on programming access, content agreements, copyright fees and DMCA issues