Broadband Telecommunications

Ferris & Britton services the most demanding legal and regulatory challenges facing the telecommunications industry. We represent broadband telecommunications operators including wired and wireless video, telephony and data services providers. Our experience in this area has been ongoing and expanding since we began our representation of cable television multiple system operators in 1970.

In the more than thirty years since its founding, Ferris & Britton has grown into the premier broadband telecommunications law firm in California with a national practice. Our clients include national and multi-national corporations, local businesses, entrepreneurial ventures and individuals.

Our experience in the telecommunication industry encompasses:

• Legislation, including initiation of legislation having industry-wide benefits (see examples below);
• Interpretation and compliance with both federal and state laws and regulations affecting broadband operators, including the federal Telecommunications Act;
• Easement and disputes cases involving equipment placement and private rights-of-way successfully litigated or negotiated;
• Technology licensing such as satellite encryption/decryption technology;
• Ratemaking and rule making before the California Public Utilities Commission and Federal Communications Commission;
• Employment law issues specific to the industry;
• Acquisition and sale of cable and other telecommunication systems;
• Possessory interest and other property tax assessments, including prosecuting claims and appeals;
• Negotiation of regulatory compromises with state and local tax authorities; and
• Franchising and re-franchising with local governmental agencies.

The following are examples of how our efforts have benefited the entire telecommunications industry:

• Franchising: Our firm pioneered industry-friendly cable television franchises in California beginning in the 1970's.
• Mandatory Utility Pole Access Legislation: Our firm, along with the California Cable Television Association and others, was instrumental in obtaining mandatory utility pole access legislation with reasonable rates.
• Signal Theft: Our firm, along with the California Cable Television Association and others, helped obtain legislation outlawing signal theft.
• Rate Deregulation: We participated in the early 1980s in the drafting and implementation of rate deregulation and other legislation favorable to the industry.
• Possessory Interest Taxation: Our firm, along with the California Cable Television Association and others helped draft and pass into law a possessory interest tax bill to curb the extremes of broadband possessory interest taxation of cable franchises.
• Apartment and Condominium Access: We have successfully litigated or negotiated numerous commercial and residential access cases.
• Anti-Trust Suits: In landmark litigation, we successfully defended cable operators in a complex anti-trust suit brought by overbuilders.
• Late Fees: We litigate and successfully negotiate compromises benefiting cable operators.
• Internet and Telephony: No California law firm has more experience dealing with these areas before the CPUC.