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Maria T. Browne
Partner
Whether it's through infrastructure deployment or accessibility, I'm invested in helping clients bring broadband services to their customers.
Maria Browne represents cable, telecommunications, and broadband service providers in matters related to infrastructure deployment, including with regard to pole attachments and access to public rights-of-way. She also advises companies on compliance with laws and regulations governing communications and digital technology companies, including those requiring technology, services and equipment to be accessible to persons with disabilities.
Maria has appeared before the FCC and state regulatory bodies in numerous states including Connecticut, California, Florida, Georgia, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Washington, D.C., Vermont, and Virginia. She routinely works with local counsel to help secure favorable outcomes on behalf of her clients before state and federal courts.
Practice Highlights
Accessibility
Assists clients in ensuring compliance with laws and rules requiring digital technology, web content, communications services and equipment, and video programming be accessible to persons with disabilities. Laws and regulations include the 21st Century Communications Video and Accessibility Act and implementing FCC regulations, the Americans with Disabilities Act, Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act, and numerous state laws as well as those of other nations, including Canada.
Infrastructure deployment
Represents clients before the FCC and state public-service commissions in disputes and rulemaking proceedings concerning broadband infrastructure deployment, including with respect to pole attachment rates, terms, and conditions. Negotiates legally compliant pole attachment and conduit occupancy agreements with utilities nationwide. Advises clients concerning the legality of pole attachment rates, terms, and conditions and state and local requirements governing access to public rights-of-way and private easements. Assists in drafting legislation and ordinances pertaining to infrastructure deployment.
Cable
Advises clients on various FCC regulatory matters.
Federal Communications Commission
Accelerating wireline broadband deployment by removing barriers to infrastructure investment
Represent NCTA in ongoing rulemaking proceeding relating to expediting and improving the pole access process for broadband providers.
Represented NCTA in rulemaking proceeding related to cost allocation of pole replacements and improving pole access process for broadband providers.
Represented NCTA Petition for Expedited Declaratory Ruling related to cost allocation of pole replacements necessitated by attachments. Secured a favorable decision on behalf of the client.
Crown Castle Fiber LLC v. Commonwealth Edison Company, Proceeding Number 19-170, Bureau ID Number EB-19-MD-005
Represented Crown Castle on matters pertaining to rents charged by Com Ed for accessing utility infrastructure. (2019)
MAW Communications, Inc. v. PPL Electric Utilities Corp.
Represented MAW Communications in pole attachment complaint proceeding against PPL Electric Utilities Corporation. Secured a favorable decision in favor of MAW. Proceeding No. 19-29, Bureau ID No. EB-19-MD-001. (2019)
Zito Media, L.P. v. Pennsylvania Electric Company, Proceeding No. 17-316, File No. EB-17-MD-006
Represented Zito Media in pole attachment complaint proceeding against Pennsylvania Electric Company. (2019)
Zito Canton v. Pennsylvania Power and Light Co., Proceeding No. 17-284, File No. EB-17-MD-005
Represented Zito Canto in pole attachment complaint proceeding against Pennsylvania Power and Light Corporation. (2019)
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State Public Service Commission
Mass DTC Complaint Proceeding Docket 22-4
Obtained favorable Mass DTC ruling in complaint proceeding brought on behalf of CRC Communications, Inc. d/b/a OTELCO against Verizon New England, Inc. and Massachusetts Electric d/b/a National Grid ordering, among other things, that Verizon and National Grid allow OTELCO to use certain time and cost saving construction techniques when attaching broadband facilities to utility poles. (October 2022)
Mass DTC Complaint Proceeding Docket 22-4
Representing CRC Communications, Inc. d/b/a OTELCO in a complaint proceeding before Massachusetts Department of Telecommunications and Cable (Mass DTC) against Verizon New England, Inc. and Massachusetts Electric d/b/a National Grid seeking to enforce 2022 Order requiring Verizon and National Grid to allow certain time and cost saving construction techniques when attaching broadband facilities to utility poles. (Ongoing)
Mass DTC Part 32 Proceeding Docket No. 18-3
Representing New England Cable and Telecommunications Association before Mass DTC in matters pertaining to incumbent carrier accounting. (Ongoing)
New York Public Service Commission Case 24-E-0157
Representing Cable Television and Telecommunications Association of New York in proceeding before the New York Public Service Commission challenging proposed pole attachment rate increase by Central Hudson Gas and Electric. (Ongoing)
New York Public Service Commission Case 23-E-0593
Serving as subject matter expert counsel to Cable Television and Telecommunications Association of New York in proceeding before the New York Public Service Commission challenging proposed pole attachment rate increase by Consolidated Edison Company of New York, Inc. (Ongoing)
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Commercial Litigation
Alabama Power Co. v. Knology of Alabama, Inc. d/b/a WOW! U.S. District Court, N. Dist. AL Case No.:2:24-cv-00004-RDP
Represent Knology of Alabama, Inc. d/b/a Wow! in defense of breach of contract complaint. (Ongoing)
Mediacom California, LLC v. Race Telecommunications, LLC; Race TV, LLC; and DOES 1-100, Kern County Superior Court, Case No. BCV-22-102887-DZ
Served as subject matter expert counsel to Mediacom California, LLC in complaint against Race Telecommunications, LLC et al. related to its unlawful placement of facilities in Mediacom vaults and conduit. (2023)
West Kentucky Rural Electric Cooperative Association v. Zito Midwest, LLC
Represented Zito Midwest LLC along with local counsel in defense of breach of contract complaint. (2020)
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Additional Representative Matters
Negotiation of pole attachment agreement for Florida Cable Television Association
Negotiated pole attachment agreement with large investor owned utility in Florida on behalf of Florida Cable Television Association and its members, Comcast, Cox, Bright House Networks, and MediaCom. (2010)
Legislation
Advise and assist in drafting state legislation to ensure that broadband providers obtain reasonable, non-discriminatory rates terms and conditions governing access to poles owned by utilities across the country, including in Virginia, Indiana, Florida and New York. (Ongoing)
Multi-national accessibility projects
Managing research projects governing over 20 countries for various technology companies (including Facebook and Microsoft) and providing ongoing advice regarding U.S. laws governing accessibility of communications and video programming services and equipment.
Multi-state communications network deployment projects
Supervised compilation of national research governing access to rights of way and utility infrastructure and managed negotiation of pole attachment and conduit occupancy contracts for 50-state 5G rollout.
Multi-state communications network deployment projects
California PUC Rulemaking Proceeding to Consider Amendments to the Revised Right-Of-Way Rules Adopted by Decision 16-01-046
Represented Cox California Telecom, LLC dba Cox Communications, helping to extend favorable rules applicable to cellular installations to CLEC small cell installations.
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California PUC Rulemaking Proceeding to Consider Amendments to the Revised Right-Of-Way Rules Adopted by Decision 16-01-046
Represented Cox California Telecom, LLC dba Cox Communications, helping to extend favorable rules applicable to cellular installations to CLEC small cell installations.
Application of The Connecticut Light and Power Company d/b/a Eversource Energy to Amend its Rate Schedules Docket No. 17-10-46
Obtained favorable order lowering pole attachment rental rates on behalf of NECTA along with local counsel.
Zayo Group LLC et al. v. Mayor and City Council of Baltimore et al.
Represented eight broadband and telecommunications providers in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland in a case related to a multi-million dollar increase in annual conduit fees assessed by the City of Baltimore. (2016-2017)
Applications for FCC Experimental License, Chemring Sensors and Electronic Systems, Inc.
Represented Chemring and predecessor NIITEK in obtaining experimental licenses for ground penetrating radar devices. (e.g. 0231-EX-CM-2017)
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Admitted to Practice
- District of Columbia, 1993
- Virginia, 1992
Education
- J.D., The George Washington University Law School, 1992
- B.A., University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 1989
Memberships & Affiliations
- American Bar Association
- Federal Communications Bar Association
- Women in Cable & Telecommunications
- Volunteer, Washington Legal Clinic for the Homeless
- Runner/Volunteer, Team Hoyt
- Volunteer, KEEN
- Usher, Historic Christ Church, Alexandria, Va.
- Committee Member, UVA Parents Fund
Professional Recognition
- "John M. Davis Award," Davis Wright Tremaine, 2021
- Awarded "AV Preeminent Rating" by the Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory, 2017-2019
- Named to "Capital Pro Bono Honor Roll" by the D.C. Court of Appeals and the D.C. Superior Court, 2012-2013, 2016 (High Honors), 2018-2019, 2022-2023
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03.05.25
Insights
Reminder: FCC Accessibility Recordkeeping Certification Required by April 1, 2025 Read More 01.10.25
Insights
Accessibility (Persons With Disabilities)
FCC Adopts New Accessibility Requirements for Video Conferencing Services Read More fiberoptic light
01.09.25
Insights
6th Circuit Invalidates FCC's 2024 Network Neutrality Order Read More 10.29.24
Insights
Reverse Preemption Roundup: Two States Adopt Rulings on Pole Attachment Matters Read More 09.19.24
Presentations
Panelist, "Legal Forum," Joint Use - Western Energy Institute, InterContinental Kansas City at the Plaza, Kansas City, Kan.
telephone pole
07.26.24
Insights
New York State Public Service Commission Adopts Modified Pole Attachment Rules Read More TV remote and screen
07.25.24
Insights
Accessibility (Persons With Disabilities)
FCC Adopts New Accessibility Rules for Closed Captioning Settings Read More lang and subtitle buttons
07.23.24
Insights
Accessibility (Persons With Disabilities)
FCC Issues Reminder To Ensure Accessibility of Televised Emergency Information Read More Apartment Building Windows
07.24.24
Insights
FCC
FCC MDU Competition Rules After Broadband Reclassification: What ISPs Should Know Read More 04.12.24
Insights
Accessibility (Persons With Disabilities)
DOJ Adopts Accessibility Requirements for State and Local Government Websites and Mobile Apps Read More 02.25.24
Presentations
Panelist, "Exploring the evolving role of wireless connectivity in meeting customer demand," Metro Connect, Marriott Harbor Beach Resort & Spa, Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
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