Bloomberg L.P., WBBR Radio Station: Provided representation for all regulatory and compliance issues for Bloomberg’s WBBR radio station in New York. After a random audit of WBBR, the FCC declared that WBBR is a model that sets the standard for all other stations to emulate.
Bloomberg L.P./Xinhua News Agency (China): Represented Bloomberg L.P. in discussions with the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative to enlist the U.S. Government’s assistance in addressing regulations issued by Xinhua News Agency (China) that restricted the ability of foreign news agencies, including Bloomberg, to distribute news and solicit subscriptions in China. Xinhua had the power to regulate news services that distribute financial information in China and that competed directly with Xinhua. The formal complaint filed with the World Trade Organization by the United States and the European Union against China resulted in China’s agreement to transfer Xinhua’s authority to a new independent regulator.
Bloomberg Television: Represented Bloomberg Television on cable systems and other multichannel video programming distributors in the preparation and drafting of carriage agreements, as well as agreements for distribution of other Bloomberg content. We negotiated significant agreements with E!, The New York Times, DIRECTV and Echostar on behalf of Bloomberg Media. We also regularly advise Bloomberg on agreements with providers of telecommunications services necessary to support Bloomberg’s provision of its news and information services to customers worldwide.
Comcast Corporation: Represented Comcast, the largest cable operator and home Internet service provider, and fourth largest home telephone service provider, in the United States as its principal outside counsel in FCC matters affecting its cable, high-speed Internet and other businesses. In addition to merger proceedings and appellate litigation described elsewhere in this document, our work includes FCC rulemakings, inquiries and adjudications, and counseling and assistance on related legislative initiatives:
- Comcast Corporation/NBCUniversal: Advised Comcast on the FCC regulatory aspects of its acquisition of the remaining 49 percent stake in NBCUniversal.
- Comcast Corporation/Time Warner Cable: Represented Comcast Corporation on FCC regulatory aspects of its approximately $45.2 billion merger agreement with Time Warner Cable Inc., in a stock-for-stock transaction.
- Representation on Cable TV and Broadband Matters: Represented Comcast on the following matters: the transition to digital television; the rules governing broadband services delivered over cable, telephone and wireless facilities; program carriage disputes with the NFL and the Mid-Atlantic Sports Network; and various FCC and congressional proposals regarding the pricing and packaging of cable television services.
Competitive Local Exchange Carriers (CLECs): Served as FCC counsel for the largest and most prominent competitive local exchange carriers (CLECs), including tw telecom, Allegiance Telecom, Inc., Level 3, EarthLink, Cbeyond, Integra, BT and and the CLEC trade association, CompTel, in a wide range of FCC rulemaking and adjudicative proceedings. Examples include representing tw telecom in FCC rulemaking proceedings concerning intercarrier compensation, universal service and broadband regulation; representing Allegiance in the highly publicized FCC proceedings concerning incumbent LEC unbundling; and a more recent retainer to represent the entire competitive industry through CompTel in a wide range of proceedings.
Home Box Office, YES Network, Bloomberg Television, iNDEMAND and QVC: Represent numerous cable TV programmers, including Home Box Office, YES Network, Bloomberg Television, iNDEMAND and QVC on a wide cross-section of issues before the FCC and Congress. We have successfully represented these entities in limiting the must-carry rights of broadcasters on cable systems, avoiding an expansion of program access restrictions, and defeating legislation to mandate the carriage of all cable programmers on an à la carte basis.
Knology, Inc.: Successfully prosecuted before the FCC a pole attachment make-ready complaint against a large utility company on behalf of Knology, a provider of interactive video, voice and data services to midsize cities in the Southeast United States. The complaint resulted in refunds and the imposition of enhanced obligations for detailed and verifiable billing.
Level 3 Communications, Inc.: Advised the German subsidiary of Level 3 in a comprehensive hearing initiated by the German Regulatory Authority for Telecommunication and Post on the future regulation of Voiceover Internet Protocol (VoIP) services in Germany.
Loral Space & Communications: Represented Loral Space & Communications in a variety of matters before the FCC, including satellite and earth-station licensing proceedings and rulemaking proceedings to address spectrum allocation and the streamlining of applicable FCC rules.
MCI WorldCom Deutschland GmbH: Advised the German subsidiary of the MCI group in all aspects of the implementation of the European Telecommunications Regulatory Package of 2002 under the new German Telecommunications Act of 2004.
Motorola: Represented Motorola in various regulatory and legislative proceedings relating to the regulation of cable set-top boxes, cable modems and other consumer broadband equipment and provided strategic advice regarding regulatory compliance and business planning issues surrounding such equipment. Willkie also secured a change in FCC rules to prolong the useful life of critical cable set-top box equipment containing embedded security.
National Cable & Telecommunications Association (NCTA): Represent NCTA on a wide variety of regulatory and legislative matters affecting cable operators and cable programmers. Willkie helped defeat federal legislation that would have broadly regulated the manner in which cable operators must offer and price programming to their customers. The firm also advised NCTA and other clients regarding possible attempts by Congress to overhaul the Communications Act, particularly regarding the regulatory status of broadband services.
Nielsen Media Research: Assisted the TV-viewing measurement company Nielsen in connection with its introduction of Local People Meter technology in major U.S. media markets.
Qualcomm: Advised Qualcomm, the American wireless telecommunications research and development company, on spectrum trading issues and provided general regulatory advice on new technology matters in Europe.
Sprint: Represented Sprint in a wide range of major FCC proceedings, including the FCC’s highly controversial rulemaking on the regulation of Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) services.
Winstar Communications: Provided regulatory and compliance advice to Winstar, a broadband services provider to businesses, and also to Teligent.