Telecommunications Law

Overview

In the 1990s, public agencies saw an unprecedented demand for access to the public right-of-way by companies seeking to install high-speed fiber optic conduit and cables. Although, arguably, demand has lessened, there still exists a significant demand for space in the public right-of-way from these companies.

We have extensive experience in advising local agencies of their regulatory authority under the Telecommunications Act of 1996. We have assisted agencies in negotiating encroachment agreements with nearly every major telecommunications company active in the Northern California market. Further, we have counseled our clients on methods to reduce the impact on the public right-of-way through encroachment permit conditions, moratoria, mitigation fees, use of joint utility trenches, and requiring the use of agency-owned fiber optic conduit.