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Christen B'anca Glenn

Of Counsel

[email protected]

+1.202.434.7329

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B’anca helps clients in the communications and technology industries navigate regulatory, transactional, and compliance issues. Specifically, she counsels clients on obtaining Federal Communications Commission (FCC) approval for acquisitions and transfers of control of FCC licenses and authorizations as well as for devices being marketed, imported, and sold in the United States. She is the go-to attorney in the firm’s Technology, Communications & Media (TechComm) Practice with respect to emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence and drones, and ownership issues for entities holding FCC licenses or authorizations. 

In addition to her work on client-specific issues, B’anca is one of the TechComm Practice’s lead attorneys for matters involving the FCC’s spectrum proceedings. B’anca also has extensive knowledge of telecommunications- and broadband-related legislation at the state and federal levels.

Prior to joining Mintz, B’anca worked as an associate and law clerk at a prominent, DC-based law firm where she also practiced communications law.

Experience

Cable & Telecom Transactions

  • Represented TPG Global in its $2.365 billion acquisition of Wave Broadband to create the sixth largest cable operator in the country, changing the nature of the company from a small, relatively unknown competitor to one of the most powerful cable operators in the country.
  • Represented T-Mobile before the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in its acquisition of radio spectrum covering operations in Montana and Wyoming. The approval was predicated on securing a waiver of the FCC’s rules because the previous holder of the spectrum licenses failed to construct the station as required, which would have otherwise caused cancellation of the licenses subject to the transfer request. Against heavy opposition, the FCC approved the transaction and waiver request.
  • Represented Cable One in its $735 million acquisition of New Wave.
  • Represented Straight Path Communications, as it entered into a historic Consent Decree with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), in its merger with Verizon Communications Inc. The Consent Decree permitted Straight Path to retain its most high-value FCC licenses in the face of an FCC investigation into potential rule violations. As a result of the Consent Decree, Straight Path was able to enter into an agreement with Verizon for $3.1 billion in value.
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viewpoints

The wireless industry has revolutionized the way we connect, from facilitating teleworking, distance learning, and telemedicine to allowing the American public to interact virtually in almost all other aspects of their daily lives.  Leading policymakers – federal regulators and legislators – are making it a top priority to ensure that the wireless industry has the tools and resources it needs to keep pace with this evolving landscape.  This blog provides monthly updates on actions by federal regulatory bodies responsible for communications policy and Congressional efforts to support wireless connectivity.  And this month we highlight the FCC’s grant of SpaceX’s request to provide direct-to-cell services from Starlink satellites using T‑Mobile spectrum so that T-Mobile customers can have access to wireless services where they do not have it today. 

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The wireless industry has revolutionized the way we connect, from facilitating teleworking, distance learning, and telemedicine to allowing the American public to interact virtually in almost all other aspects of their daily lives.  Leading policymakers – federal regulators and legislators – are making it a top priority to ensure that the wireless industry has the tools and resources it needs to keep pace with this evolving landscape.  This blog provides monthly updates on actions by federal regulatory bodies responsible for communications policy and Congressional efforts to support wireless connectivity.  And this month we highlight the release of the National Spectrum Research and Development Plan.

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The wireless industry has revolutionized the way we connect, from facilitating teleworking, distance learning, and telemedicine to allowing the American public to interact virtually in almost all other aspects of their daily lives.  Leading policymakers – federal regulators and legislators – are making it a top priority to ensure that the wireless industry has the tools and resources it needs to keep pace with this evolving landscape.  This blog provides monthly updates on actions by federal regulatory bodies responsible for communications policy and Congressional efforts to support wireless connectivity.  And this month we highlight the Ninth Circuit’s ruling on the FCC’s clarifications with respect to wireless infrastructure deployment.

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The wireless industry has revolutionized the way we connect, from facilitating teleworking, distance learning, and telemedicine to allowing the American public to interact virtually in almost all other aspects of their daily lives.  Leading policymakers – federal regulators and legislators – are making it a top priority to ensure that the wireless industry has the tools and resources it needs to keep pace with this evolving landscape.  This blog provides monthly updates on actions by federal regulatory bodies responsible for communications policy and Congressional efforts to support wireless connectivity.  And this month we highlight the FCC’s release of proposed changes to its rules governing the use of mid-band spectrum in the 3.5 GHz band for commercial wireless services.

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The wireless industry has revolutionized the way we connect, from facilitating teleworking, distance learning, and telemedicine to allowing the American public to interact virtually in almost all other aspects of their daily lives.  Leading policymakers – federal regulators and legislators – are making it a top priority to ensure that the wireless industry has the tools and resources it needs to keep pace with this evolving landscape.  This blog provides monthly updates on actions by federal regulatory bodies responsible for communications policy and Congressional efforts to support wireless connectivity.  And this month, we highlight a report by the U.S. Government Accountability Office (“GAO”) on key agency practices to help improve receiver performance in wireless devices. 

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The wireless industry has revolutionized the way we connect, from facilitating teleworking, distance learning, and telemedicine to allowing the American public to interact virtually in almost all other aspects of their daily lives.  Leading policymakers – federal regulators and legislators – are making it a top priority to ensure that the wireless industry has the tools and resources it needs to keep pace with this evolving landscape.  This blog provides monthly updates on actions by federal regulatory bodies responsible for communications policy and Congressional efforts to support wireless connectivity.  And this month, we highlight the FCC’s proposed changes to its rules governing use of the 3.5 GHz band, which may lead to greater use of the spectrum nationwide for commercial wireless services. 

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News & Press

Press Release Thumbnail Mintz

Mintz represented T-Mobile before the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) related to the company’s provision of supplemental coverage from space (SCS) in cooperation with its partner in this venture – SpaceX. The new service will give T-Mobile customers the ability to communicate in areas where there is no traditional cell phone coverage. 

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Events & Speaking

Speaker
Jun
6
2024

The Inaugural ILS Symposium

The National Bar Association - International Law Section

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Panelist
May
15
2023

Broadband and Cable Industry Law 2023

Practising Law Institute (PLI)

Online

Conference Reference Image
Panelist
May
16
2022

Broadband and Cable Industry Law 2022

Practising Law Institute (PLI)

Online

Technology, Communications & Media Thumbnail
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Recognition & Awards

  • Washington, D.C. Super Lawyers Rising Stars: Technology Transactions List (2024)

  • Recommended by The Legal 500 United States for Telecom & Broadcast: Regulatory (2022, 2024)

  • 2022 DC Capital Pro Bono Honor Roll

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Involvement

  • Member, Federal Communications Bar Association
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