![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: Broadband Data Collection Help Center; $48K Consent Decree; Affordable Connectivity Program NPRM; $16M Lifeline Settlement, [Vol. XIX, Issue 23] - (Posted On Monday, June 06, 2022)
- Telecom Alert: $275K Consent Decree; Broadband Data Collection Petition; CORES System Retiring; ECF Funding [Vol. XIX, Issue 22] - (Posted On Tuesday, May 31, 2022)
- Telecom Alert: NTIA Broadband Funding; Receiver Performance NOI Pleading Cycle; E-Rate School Bus Proposal; ACP Commitments [Vol. XIX Issue 20] - (Posted On Monday, May 16, 2022)
- Telecom Alert: Pole Attachment Rulemaking Pleading Cycle; Spectrum Innovation Act; ECF Third Filing Window; 988 Geolocation Forum [Vol. XIX, Issue 18] - (Posted On Monday, May 02, 2022)
- Telecom Alert: New FCC Filing Fees; USF Transfer of Control Guidance; Environmental Assessments Update; ECF Funding [Vol. XIX Issue 17] - (Posted On Monday, April 25, 2022)
- Telecom Alert: FCC Auction Authority Expiring; Local Government Ransomware Warning; Receiver Performance NOI; RDOF Funding [Vol. XIX, Issue 14] - (Posted On Monday, April 04, 2022)
- Telecom Alert: 2.5 GHz Auction Procedures; New Application Fee Rates; ECF Funding; Upcoming 800 MHz Action; Broadband Communities Summit [Vol. XIX, Issue 13] - (Posted On Tuesday, March 29, 2022)
- Telecom Alert: 6 GHz Licensee Reminder; Florida PSC Proposes Pole Rules; $35K Consent Decree; $100K Reporting Violations Penalty[Vol. XIX, Issue 11] - (Posted On Monday, March 14, 2022)
- Telecom Alert: 2.5 GHz Auction; Petition for VoIP Common Carrier Designation; Broadband Data Collection Specs; IIJA Broadband Webinars; 16K NAL [Vol. XIX, Issue 10] - (Posted On Monday, March 07, 2022)
- Telecom Alert: Proposed NG911 Funding Plan; Pole Attachment Rulemaking; Georgia PSC Bill; Cybersecurity Advisory; ECF Funding [Vol. XIX, Issue 9] - (Posted On Tuesday, March 01, 2022)
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.