![James Baller Senior Counsel Keller Heckman Law Firm](/sites/default/files/styles/author_profile/public/2024-05/05_14_2024%20James%20Baller.jpg?h=ae6d2b8f&itok=iv5wQUFx)
James (Jim) Baller represents clients across the United States (U.S.) in a broad range of communications matters, including high-capacity broadband network projects, public-private broadband partnerships, telecommunications, wireless facility siting, right-of-way management, pole and conduit attachments, and barriers to community broadband initiatives.
Jim was the founder and president of the U.S. Broadband Coalition, a diverse group of more than 160 communications service providers, high technology companies, labor unions, public interest and consumer groups, state and local government entities, utilities, charitable institutions, and other organizations. The Coalition fostered a broad national consensus on the need for a national broadband strategy and recommended the framework that was subsequently reflected in the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) National Broadband Plan. Jim was also the co-founder and president of the Coalition for Local Internet Choice, an alliance of more than 600 organizations and individuals that worked to prevent or remove barriers to the ability of local governments to make the critical broadband infrastructure decisions that affect their communities.
Jim advises clients in numerous matters involving complex factual, legal, and policy issues. He collaborates with legal, financial, accounting, engineering, and other technical experts to assist state, regional, and local government entities in making comprehensive telecommunications plans, establishing state-of-the-art communications systems, developing strategic partnerships, and integrating right-of-way and zoning ordinances, franchises, licenses, pole-attachment agreements, contracts, forms, permits, and other related documents.
Jim is a frequent speaker on communications matters, and he has authored and co-authored numerous articles on such matters. This includes “Broadband Partnerships: For Many Communities, A Good Idea at a Good Time,” International Municipal Lawyers Association Journal (Sep-Oct 2021); “Public Infrastructure/Private Service: A Shared-Risk Partnership Model for the 21st Century,” The Benton Institute for Broadband and Society (October 2020); “The Emerging World of Broadband Public-Private Partnerships: A Business Strategy and Legal Guide,” The Benton Foundation (May 2017); “Economic Development: The Killer App for Local Fiber Networks,” Broadband Communities Magazine (November/December 2016); “A Practical Primer on Pole Attachments” (March 2012); “Report of the US Broadband Coalition on a National Broadband Strategy” (September 2009); “Bigger Vision, Bolder Action, Brighter Future: Capturing the Promise of Broadband for North Carolina and America” (June 2008); “A National Broadband Strategy: ‘Make No Small Plans,'” NATOA Journal (Fall 2007); “Eight Bold Steps to a National Broadband Strategy,” FTTH Prism (January 2007); “America Needs a Fiber-Based National Broadband Policy Now,” FTTH Prism (October 2006); “Deceptive Myths About Municipal Broadband: Disinformation About Public Ownership Impeding Progress,” Broadband Properties Magazine (May 2005); and “Curbing Anticompetitive Practices By Cable Incumbents: If Not Now, When?” NATOA Journal of Municipal Telecommunications Policy (Winter 2004).
Prior to joining Keller and Heckman, Jim was the president of a nationally-ranked boutique Washington, DC telecommunications firm.
More Legal and Business Bylines From James Baller
- Telecom Alert: Enhanced Competition Incentive Program FNPRM; RDOF Fourth Round Funding; Emergency Connectivity Fund Commitment; FCC Filing Fees [Vol. XVIII, Issue 46] - (Posted On Monday, November 15, 2021)
- Telecom Alert: House Passes Infrastructure Bill; Text-to-988 Report and Order; MTE Reply Comment Deadline Extended; 70/80/90 GHz Band Pleading Cycle [Vol. XVIII, Issue 45] - (Posted On Monday, November 08, 2021)
- Telecom Alert: Build Back Better Act; Biden Nominates Rosenworcel as Permanent Chairwoman; Secure Equipment Act Passes; $1.3 Billion in Emergency Connectivity Funding; 6 GHz Waiver [Vol. XVIII, Issue 44] - (Posted On Monday, November 01, 2021)
- Telecom Alert: 911 Service Provider Reliability Certification Fines; Emergency Connectivity Fund Second Funding Wave; Tribal Library E-Rate Information Session; RDOF Funding Authorization [Vol. XVIII, Issue 42] - (Posted On Monday, October 18, 2021)
- Telecom Alert: Emergency Connectivity Fund First Round Funding; 2.5 GHz Mutual Exclusivity Resolution; MTE NPRM Comment Deadlines; Senators Back Rosenworcel as Permanent Chairwoman [Vol. XVIII, Issue 39] - (Posted On Monday, September 27, 2021)
- Telecom Alert: FBI, CISA Warn about Ransomware Attacks; Form 477 Deadline Extended; Court Rules Against Locast Broadcast Streaming Service; EBB Imposter Website [Vol. XVIII, Issue 36] - (Posted On Wednesday, September 08, 2021)
- Telecom Alert: Emergency Connectivity Fund Second Filing Window; New NTIA Broadband Offices; $5 Million Robocalling Fine Proposed; Unmanned Aircraft Systems in the 5 GHz Band [Vol. XVIII, Issue 35] - (Posted On Monday, August 30, 2021)
- Telecom Alert: DC Circuit Remands RF Rules; 911 Reliability Certification System; AT&T Set Back in FCC Joint Use Ruling; VoIP Provider Violates Access Rules; Section 253 Petitions; 911 Disability Alerting System Bill [Vol. XVIII, Issue 34] - (Posted On Monday, August 23, 2021)
- Telecom Alert: Rip-and-Replace Rules Adopted; FCC Affirms Fine for Harmful Interference; Form 477 Violations Citation; New Research Test Beds Proposed [Vol. XVIII, Issue 29] - (Posted On Tuesday, July 20, 2021)
- Telecom Alert: Biden Signs EO on Competition; Rip-and-Replace R&O; 5.9 GHz Band Petitions for Recon; NTIA Report on Space-Based Operations [Vol. XVIII, Issue 28] - (Posted On Tuesday, July 13, 2021)
The National Law Review selected the Telecommunications Practice Group at Keller and Heckman as a Go-To Thought Leader for 2021 for its coverage of legislation and regulation involving the telecommunications industry. Of particular note is its frequent updates on telecommunications policy and regulations through its Telecom Alert, which breaks down the latest news affecting the industry. Keller and Heckman authors who contribute regularly to the Telecom Alerts include Jaimy “Sindy” Alarcon, James Baller, Jason P. Chun, Timothy A. Doughty, Michael T. N. Fitch, C. Douglas Jarrett, Gregory E. Kunkle, Casey Lide, Thomas B. Magee, Tracy P. Marshall, Kathleen Slattery Thompson, Sean A. Stokes and Wesley K. Wright.