![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: Letter Urges USF Reform; MTE Competition R&O; $100K USF Penalty Proposed; Spectrum Coordination Initiative [Vol. XIX, Issue 8] - (Posted On Tuesday, February 22, 2022)
- Telecom Alert: Annual CPNI Certifications; Rip-and-Replace Applications; EAS Pleading Cycle; Emergency Connectivity Fund [Vol. XIX, Issue 7] - (Posted On Monday, February 14, 2022)
- Telecom Alert: Ninth Circuit Upholds CA Net Neutrality Mandate; Auction Communications Investigation; FCC Broadband Nutrition Labels; Section 253 Petition; Order to Dismantle [Vol. XIX, Issue 5] - (Posted On Monday, January 31, 2022)
- Telecom Alert: Draft MTE Competition Report and Order; Affordable Connectivity Program Rules Released; FCC Urges Review of Cybersecurity Practices; NASNA Petition for Rulemaking [Vol. XIX, Issue 4] - (Posted On Tuesday, January 25, 2022)
- Telecom Alert: NTIA Seeks Comment on Broadband Programs; ARPA Final Rule; Tribal Library E-Rate Eligibility; Affordable Connectivity Program Draft Rules [Vol. XIX, Issue 2] - (Posted On Tuesday, January 11, 2022)
- Telecom Alert: Affordable Connectivity Program Launch; FCC 6 GHz Order Upheld; 911 Fee Diversion Petitions Pleading Cycle; Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Petition [Vol. XIX, Issue 1] - (Posted On Monday, January 03, 2022)
- Telecom Alert: FCC NOI on Future of USF; FCC Settles 911 Rule Compliance Investigations; 911 Fee Distribution Petitions for Reconsideration; USF Contribution Factor [Vol. XVIII, Issue 51] - (Posted On Tuesday, December 21, 2021)
- Telecom Alert: Small Provider STIR/SHAKEN Start Date; 6 GHz Band Petition for Rulemaking; Minority Communities Program Funding Requests; FAA Airworthiness Directives [Vol. XVIII, Issue 50] - (Posted On Monday, December 13, 2021)
- Telecom Alert: USF Reform Bill; 3.45 GHz Assignment Phase; $19.5 Million T-Mobile Settlement; Section 253 Petition Dismissed; Affordable Connectivity Guidance Order [Vol. XVIII, Issue 48] - (Posted On Monday, November 29, 2021)
- Telecom Alert:Build Back Better Act Passes House; 3.45 GHz Auction Concludes Clock Phase; Affordable Connectivity Program; Text-to-988 Report and Order [Vol. XVIII, Issue 47] - (Posted On Monday, November 22, 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.