Communications and Media Regulation
The digital economy, and all that supports it,
is a major component of national and international economic output.
Developed countries depend on the digital economy to provide the
stimulus that will restore growth and boost productivity, while
developing countries look to advanced services and the digital
economy as a means to grow and develop. Its success is, as
never before, a political and policy issue.
To advance a policy or business agenda
requires access to accurate political and regulatory intelligence,
and knowing how best to use that information. Communication
and media sector businesses need to monitor complex legislative and
regulatory initiatives, advocate for legislative and regulatory
measures, navigate public policy and stay ahead of the traditional
news cycle. Sometimes, they need to challenge a damaging or
dangerous regulatory decision. Customers of communication and
media services must also understand the regulatory environment to
ensure they achieve their goals in the most efficient way
possible.
SNR Denton integrates this capability within
its Communications practice. It employs policy professionals
who have worked in high-profile federal, state, and local political
positions. We recruit from within industry. We run a
secondment program so our lawyers understand life within a
regulated sector.
The Communications and Media Regulation
Practice uses this understanding to help companies, trade
associations, governments, and non-profit organizations:
- manage their regulatory obligations
- achieve their policy goals and advocate
policy development
- challenge regulatory decisions
- ensure communications technology and services
comply with industry standards and protocols, and obtain essential
IP protections
- purchase regulated communications or media
services from others, or invest in those who do
We know the sector, we know the policy issues,
we speak the complex language of regulation. We also know the
regulatory decision makers and their decision making
methodology. This means we hit the ground running without
having to climb a learning curve at your expense.
Areas of Focus
Communications Regulation
- Communications licences and
authorizations
- Service and equipment approval and
certification (e.g. WiFi, VoIP, Metro Ethernet, TETRA)
- Network neutrality, open access and network
management policies
- Regulation of next generation broadband
networks; National Broadband Plan and broadband stimulus
eligibility; rural healthcare broadband support mechanism
- Spectrum acquisition, licensing and
management
- The negotiation, arbitration and judicial
review of interconnection agreements
- Universal service
- Consumer protection including anti-spam,
truth-in-billing, telemarketing/advertising and mis-selling,
premium rate services, and early termination charges
- Machine-to-Machine communications
- Numbering, number portability, addressability
and signalling
- Telecommunications relay services, hearing
aid compatibility and other disability access issues
- Competition / antitrust
Media Regulation
- Broadcast licensing
- Regulation of digital media
services
- Content, advertising and sponsorship
regulation
- Media ownership rules