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Russell H. Fox

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[email protected]

+1.202.434.7483

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Russell is among the most experienced wireless communications attorneys in the country. Unique among his peers, Russell assists clients on federal legislative, regulatory, and transactional matters. He analyzes legislation on behalf of clients, participates in proceedings before the FCC and other federal agencies, negotiates spectrum agreements, and represents wireless providers in spectrum auctions. He is also frequently consulted on matters involving US spectrum use and policy.

Whether they are in the middle of a transaction with difficult regulatory issues, working with Congress on legislative drafting, or securing critical operational authority, clients value Russell’s accessibility and ability to find creative solutions. He works with major telecommunications providers, trade associations, equipment manufacturers, public safety organizations, and entrepreneurs proposing new products or services.

Russell provides advice to all participants in the robocall/robotext ecosystem. He assists those that make calls, such as health care providers, utilities and vendors on how to structure messaging campaign. He also provides guidance on the appropriate wording for terms and conditions accepted by call recipients. He also counsels communications providers on call handling, including call blocking obligations.

Before joining the firm, Russell was a partner and head of the telecommunications department in the Washington office of a major Chicago-based law firm, where he represented users and providers of telecommunications services and equipment. Previously, he was the executive director and president of the American SMR Network Association, Inc., where he established offices of a national trade association representing a segment of the wireless telecommunications industry.

Russell is among the most experienced wireless communications attorneys in the country. Unique among his peers, Russell assists clients on federal legislative, regulatory, and transactional matters. He analyzes legislation on behalf of clients, participates in proceedings before the FCC and other federal agencies, negotiates spectrum agreements, and represents wireless providers in spectrum auctions. He is also frequently consulted on matters involving US spectrum use and policy.

Experience

Transactions

  • 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.

Legislative

  • Advised CTIA, the national wireless trade association in the eventual adoption of the TRACED Act, which mandates that communications providers take actions to prevent illegal robocalls.

FCC Regulation

  • Serve as primary outside counsel to Wi-Fi Alliance on FCC regulatory matters. Help spearhead efforts to make an additional 1200 megahertz of spectrum available for Wi-Fi, a significant increase in spectrum capacity.
  • Assisted Trimble Inc., a major manufacturer of GPS equipment, challenge grant of a license to an entity that proposes a service in adjacent frequency spectrum that would threaten the reception of GPS signals.
  • Successfully negotiated a consent decree with the FCC under which Radwin, a manufacturer of advanced telecommunications equipment, was able to pay a modest forfeiture penalty and implement a compliance program. Radwin marketed equipment in the U.S. in a manner inconsistent with the FCC's rules.
  • Assisted T-Mobile in urging the adoption of rules governing the so-called "C-band" which was subsequently auctioned and generated more revenues than any other FCC auction.
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viewpoints

Perdue for Senate, Inc., the Senate campaign committee for former U.S. Senator David Perdue (R-GA), petitioned the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) to issue a declaratory ruling asking the agency to clarify that delivering a voice message directly to a voicemail box through ringless voicemail (“RVM”) technology does not constitute a “call” under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (“TCPA”) or FCC rules.
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What’s New in 5G - July 2021

July 1, 2021 | Blog | By Russell Fox, T. Scott Thompson, Angela Kung, Daniel P. Reing, Christen B'anca Glenn

The next-generation of wireless technologies – known as 5G – is here. Not only is it expected to offer network speeds that are up to 100 times faster than 4G LTE and reduce latency to nearly zero, it will allow networks to handle 100 times the number of connected devices, revolutionizing business and consumer connectivity and enabling the “Internet of Things.” Leading policymakers – federal regulators and legislators – are making it a top priority to ensure that the wireless industry has the tools it needs to maintain U.S. leadership in commercial 5G deployments. This blog provides monthly updates on FCC actions and Congressional efforts to win the race to 5G.
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As part of its efforts to combat illegal robocalls, the FCC signed the “Mutual Assistance in the Enforcement of Laws on Certain Unlawful Communications” Memorandum of Understanding (“MOU”) with the Australian Communications and Media Authority (“ACMA”).
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TCPA Regulatory Update — Congress Seeks to Increase Penalties for Illegal Robocalls

June 15, 2021 | Article | By Russell Fox, Jonathan P. Garvin

The Deter Obnoxious, Nefarious and Outrageous Telephone (DO NOT) Call Act (S. 1913) seeks to impose strict new penalties for violations of the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA).
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Monthly TCPA Digest — June 2021

June 15, 2021 | Article | By Russell Fox, Joshua Briones, Jonathan P. Garvin, Adam B. Korn

This edition discusses an online portal for submitting information about suspected robocalling and ID spoofing; the Senate’s Deter Obnoxious, Nefarious and Outrageous Telephone (DO NOT) Call Act (S. 1913), which could impose strict new penalties for TCPA violations; a Memorandum of Understanding with the Australian Communications and Media Authority that may help coordinate a global approach to unlawful robocalls and spoofing; and recent district court rulings that may help clarify the impact of the Supreme Court’s Facebook decision on future TCPA-related litigation.
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The Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) plans to consider a measure that would create an online portal for private entities to submit information about suspected robocalling and caller ID spoofing violations directly to the Commission’s Enforcement Bureau.
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What's New in 5G - June 2021

June 2, 2021 | Blog | By Russell Fox, T. Scott Thompson, Angela Kung, Daniel P. Reing, Christen B'anca Glenn

The next-generation of wireless technologies – known as 5G – is here. Not only is it expected to offer network speeds that are up to 100 times faster than 4G LTE and reduce latency to nearly zero, it will allow networks to handle 100 times the number of connected devices, revolutionizing business and consumer connectivity and enabling the “Internet of Things.” Leading policymakers – federal regulators and legislators – are making it a top priority to ensure that the wireless industry has the tools it needs to maintain U.S. leadership in commercial 5G deployments. This blog provides monthly updates on FCC actions and Congressional efforts to win the race to 5G.
Read more

Monthly TCPA Digest — May 2021

May 17, 2021 | Article | By Russell Fox, Joshua Briones, Jonathan P. Garvin, Kara M. Cormier

The May 2021 TCPA Digest discusses a proposal to speed up STIR/SHAKEN implementation for small voice service providers, a proposed protective order to safeguard confidential information submitted to the FCC’s Robocall Mitigation Database (RMD), and a Sixth Circuit case confirming that a company can’t be liable in a junk-fax case unless it has some knowledge that an unsolicited fax has been sent.
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Commission Seeks Input on Protective Order for Robocall Mitigation Database
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Commission Considering Reduced STIR/SHAKEN Extension for Small Providers
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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. 

Press Release Thumbnail Mintz

187 Mintz attorneys have been recognized by Best Lawyers® in the 2025 edition of The Best Lawyers in America©. Notably, three Mintz attorneys received 2025 “Lawyer of the Year” awards, and 64 firm attorneys were included in the 2025 edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch.

Press Release Thumbnail Mintz

Mintz is pleased to announce that 120 firm attorneys have been recognized as leaders by Best Lawyers® in the 2024 edition of The Best Lawyers in America©.

Press Release Thumbnail Mintz

BOSTON – Mintz has earned top rankings in the 2023 edition of Legal 500 United States guide. The firm is recognized in 14 practice categories, and 59 individual attorneys are also recognized in the guide, some in more than one category.

Press Release Thumbnail Mintz

Best Lawyers® recognized 108 firm attorneys in the 2023 edition of The Best Lawyers in America©. Notably, two Mintz attorneys – Poonam Patidar and Scott M. Stanton – received 2023 “Lawyer of the Year” awards, and 28 firm attorneys were included in the inaugural edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch.

Press Release Thumbnail Mintz
In the latest guide, Mintz garnered rankings as a top national firm in eight practice areas, and 32 firm attorneys were individually recognized.
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Events & Speaking

Speaker
Feb
28
2019

Five Steps to 5G: Prepping for the Next Generation

3580 Carmel Mountain Road, Suite 300, San Diego, CA 92130

Speaker
Apr
13
2016

Broadband and Cable Industry Law 2016

Practising Law Institute (PLI)

Webinar

Speaker
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Russell is among the most experienced wireless communications attorneys in the country. Unique among his peers, Russell assists clients on federal legislative, regulatory, and transactional matters. He analyzes legislation on behalf of clients, participates in proceedings before the FCC and other federal agencies, negotiates spectrum agreements, and represents wireless providers in spectrum auctions. He is also frequently consulted on matters involving US spectrum use and policy.

Recognition & Awards

  • Recommended by the Legal 500 United States for Telecom & Broadcast: Regulatory (2017 – 2023)

  • Best Lawyers in America: Communications Law (2019 – 2025)

  • Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent

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Russell is among the most experienced wireless communications attorneys in the country. Unique among his peers, Russell assists clients on federal legislative, regulatory, and transactional matters. He analyzes legislation on behalf of clients, participates in proceedings before the FCC and other federal agencies, negotiates spectrum agreements, and represents wireless providers in spectrum auctions. He is also frequently consulted on matters involving US spectrum use and policy.

Involvement

  • Member, Federal Communications Bar Association
  • Fellow, Radio Club of America
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