Communications Infrastructure (Tower) Companies

Tower companies face more limited FCC jurisdiction than communications service providers, but tower companies have other challenges, including real estate transactions, compliance with environmental and safety laws, and liability issues.

Patton Boggs has an interdisciplinary team that is dedicated to serving the myriad legal and business needs of tower companies and wireless carriers who contract with tower companies. Our TechComm group has successfully represented tower companies before the FCC on regulatory compliance and enforcement matters. We advise tower companies and wireless carriers on a variety of real estate issues including site leasing, tower leasing, tower sales, land use, and licensing issues. We have counseled a major publicly traded tower company on environmental laws, including the NHPA, Emergency Planning and Community Right to Know Act (EPCRA), Clean Air Act, and Clean Water Act (CWA), spill control, and prevention requirements.

We have significant experience defending tower clients in state and federal OSHA investigations and we have worked to successfully limit administrative penalties and tort liability. In addition, we regularly assist tower companies and wireless carriers with tower acquisition, site acquisitions, tower leases, and site leases.