Related Practices

Arbitration

Administrative Disputes

Misappropriation & Right of Publicity

Antitrust

Communications Regulatory

Litigation

Related Industries

Communications, Media & Technology

Cable

Telecommunications

Internet and E-Commerce

Wireless

Software & Technology

Additional Bios

Languages

Admitted to Practice

U.S. Court of Appeals D.C. Circuit, 1983

U.S. District Court Central District of California, 1980

U.S. District Court District of Columbia, 1982

District of Columbia, 1982

California, 1980

Christopher W. Savage

Partner
Co-chair, Communications Practice

chrissavage@dwt.com
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Washington, D.C.
202.973.4211 direct
202.973.4411 fax

Chris Savage focuses on helping telecom, cable and Internet companies navigate the heavily regulated communications industry. He negotiates complex agreements related to interconnected networks, litigates disputes for wired and wireless communications companies arising under those agreements and under state and federal communications laws, and helps shape and interpret state and federal communications regulatory rules and policies.

Selected Experience

In re Petition of Charter Fiberlink MA-CCO, LLC for Arbitration of an Interconnection Agreement with Verizon

Section 251/252 arbitration of fiber meet point interconnection terms. DTE 06-56 (2006)

In re Petition of SBC Missouri for Arbitration of Unresolved Issues Associated with Interconnection Agreements to Replace M2A Agreements

Section 251/252 interconnection arbitration proceeding against SBC/AT&T in Missouri. Case No. TO-2005-0336 (8th Cir. 2005)

In re Petition of Monmouth Tel. for Arbitration of an Interconnection Agreement

Section 251/252 interconnection arbitration proceeding. Case No. TO 03100788 (2004)

Global NAPs v. FCC

Appeal of FCC decision limiting intercarrier compensation rights. 247 F.3d 252 (2001)

Administrative litigation and private arbitration for Verizon Communications

Administrative litigation and private arbitration of claim by a competitive local exchange carrier against Verizon, under the parties' interconnection agreement, regarding appropriate charges (if any) for including competitors' customers in Verizon's printed telephone directories and directory assistance databases.

Administrative litigation for competitive local exchange carrier

Handled administrative litigation for competitive local exchange carrier, arguing that a telecommunications affiliate of a government-owned power company is subject to regulation as a telecommunications carrier by the state telecommunications regulators in Puerto Rico.

Appeal of USAC rulings to the FCC

Handled intra-agency appeals of adverse decisions by the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) regarding disbursements of universal service funding under the interstate common line support (ICLS) program; handled appeal of USAC rulings to the FCC.

Drafted comments on 'automatic roaming' for wireless carrier clients

Drafted comments on proposed Federal Communications Commission rules requiring 'automatic roaming' arrangements among technically compatible wireless carriers; successfully lobbied FCC to adopt client's position on automatic roaming.

Intercarrier compensation rules

Arguments in U.S. District Courts (Arizona, Washington, Oregon) on appeal from state administrative agency orders establishing intercarrier compensation rules to be applied as between Qwest Communications and various competitive local exchange carriers.

Interconnection agreement for landline and wireless competitive local exchange carrier

Handled negotiation and arbitration of interconnection agreement under the Telecommunications Act of 1996 for landline and wireless competitive local exchange carrier with incumbent local exchange carrier in Puerto Rico.

Intrastate access charges litigation for competitive local exchange carrier

Successful litigation defending competitive local exchange carrier's intrastate access charges against claims from Sprint long distance that such charges were unreasonably high under state law.

Litigation for Bright House Networks

Successfully prosecuted claim (along with two co-plaintiffs) that Verizon Communications had violated FCC rules, and provisions of the Communications Act, limiting Verizon's ability to use, in order to market its own services, information it obtains from competitors as part of the process of transferring customers to those competitors.

Obtained 'eligible telecommunications carrier' status for wireless carrier

Helped obtain favorable legislation, then conducted administrative litigation under that legislation to obtain designation for wireless carrier as an 'eligible telecommunications carrier' in the United States Virgin Islands.

Private arbitration claim for cable operator-competitive local exchange carrier

Defended private arbitration claim brought by an incumbent local exchange carrier against a cable operator-competitive local exchange carrier regarding charges under the parties' interconnection agreements for use of network interface devices on customer premises.

Advised reseller of local telecommunications services in dispute with incumbent local exchange carrier regarding unreasonable delays in processing orders for wholesale services to be resold.

More Experience >>

Additional Qualifications

Professional and Community Activities

Professional Recognition

Education

J.D., Harvard Law School, 1980, cum laude

A.B., Economics, Sociology, Harvard College, 1977, magna cum laude

Spotlights