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.
viewpoints
What’s New in Wireless - March 2024
March 6, 2024 | Blog | By Angela Kung, Christen B'anca Glenn
What's New in Wireless - February 2024
February 5, 2024 | Blog | By Angela Kung, Christen B'anca Glenn
What's New in Wireless - January 2024
January 2, 2024 | Blog | By Angela Kung, T. Scott Thompson, Christen B'anca Glenn, Anthony Patrone
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 recent events occurring at the 2023 World Radiocommunication Conference.
What’s New in Wireless - December 2023
December 6, 2023 | Blog | By Angela Kung, Christen B'anca Glenn
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 National Telecommunications and Information Administration’s release of its long-awaited National Spectrum Strategy.
What’s New in Wireless - November 2023
November 1, 2023 | Blog | By Angela Kung, Christen B'anca Glenn
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 increased activities on the transition of the C-band, which was reallocated so that it may be made available for commercial wireless services.
The FCC Initiates a Proceeding to Explore the Impact of AI on Calling and Texting Practices — AI: The Washington Report
October 31, 2023 | Blog | By Christen B'anca Glenn, Jonathan P. Garvin
The Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) released a draft Notice of Inquiry (“NOI”) on October 25, 2023 that would, if adopted, seek information about the impact of artificial intelligence (“AI”) on the FCC’s efforts to protect consumers from unwanted and unlawful calls and text messages under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (“TCPA”).
What's New in Wireless - October 2023
October 5, 2023 | Blog | By Angela Kung, Christen B'anca Glenn
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 addition of a new fifth FCC Commissioner and re-confirmation of two existing Commissioners, bringing the FCC to a full complement for the first time in more than two years.
What's New in Wireless - September 2023
September 6, 2023 | Blog | By Angela Kung, T. Scott Thompson, Christen B'anca Glenn
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 FCC Chairwoman Rosenworcel’s renewed call to Congress to restore the FCC’s authority to conduct spectrum auctions.
What’s New in Wireless - August 2023
August 1, 2023 | Blog | By Angela Kung, T. Scott Thompson, Christen B'anca Glenn
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 new cybersecurity labeling program, which will help inform consumers about the security of their wireless devices.
FCC and NSF Workshop on AI for Communications Networks and Consumers — AI: The Washington Report
July 20, 2023 | Article | By Christen B'anca Glenn
Read the latest edition of AI: The Washington Report, a joint undertaking of Mintz and ML Strategies covering potential federal legislative, executive, and regulatory activities related to AI, including a recent FCC and NSF Workshop on AI’s implications for communications networks and consumers.
News & Press
Mintz Represents T-Mobile before FCC in SpaceX Commercial Direct-to-Smartphone Service Agreement
December 04, 2024
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.
Events & Speaking
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
Involvement
- Member, Federal Communications Bar Association