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Maria T. Browne

BrowneMaria
Partner
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Washington, D.C.
T202.973.4281
F202.973.4481
Maria Browne advises clients on matters pertaining to federal and state communications laws, including laws impacting broadband infrastructure deployment and regulations implementing the 21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act, which requires that communications and video distributors, program content owners and equipment manufacturers make their services and products accessible to persons with disabilities.

Maria provides compliance advice, and also represents clients in disputed cases before the FCC and other federal, state and local regulatory agencies. She has appeared before state regulatory bodies in New Hampshire, New Jersey, Connecticut, New York, Washington, D.C., Vermont, Virginia, and Florida. Maria also assists clients in obtaining FCC licenses for RF devices and in state and federal procurement matters.

Maria's clients include Bright House Networks, Charter Communications, Comcast, Fibertech, Harron Communications, and Time Warner Cable.

Representative Experience

Advise communications network providers regarding federal and state laws governing pole attachment rates, terms and conditions

Reviews and analyzes pole attachment rates, terms and conditions and advise clients concerning the legality of such rates, terms and conditions under federal and state laws; negotiate legally compliant rates, terms and conditions; represent clients before the FCC and state public service commissions in disputes concerning pole attachment rates, terms and conditions. (Ongoing)

Assist entities in filing Accessibility Compliance Certifications and establishing recordkeeping processes

Advises clients concerning the CVAA and FCC rules requiring communications providers to make services and equipment accessibility to persons with disabilities, to keep records concerning efforts to comply with rules, and annual compliance certification to the FCC. (Ongoing)

Connecticut proceeding for New England Cable Television Association

Consulting and developing testimony and related filings in Connecticut Department of Public Utility Control proceeding regarding Connecticut Light and Power proposed pole attachment rental rate increase and new terms and conditions of attachment, and negotiating interim pole attachment agreement to govern until final agreement adopted in proceeding. (2011)

Consult communications clients regarding closed captioning, video description, voice, email and website accessibility

Assist clients in ensuring that video programming services and equipment, and real time communications services (such as telecommunications, VoIP and email) are accessible to persons with disabilities to the extent required by state and federal laws. (Ongoing)

Procurement for cable operators and equipment manufacturers

Advise clients on state and federal procurement requirements. (Ongoing)

New Hampshire Public Utility Commission proceeding for Time Warner Cable, Inc.

Represented cable operator client in dispute before the PUC concerning the appropriate amount of Public Service Company of New Hampshire pole attachment rental rates. (2012)

New Jersey Board of Public Utilities proceeding for Fiber Technologies Networks LLC

Represented Fiber Technologies Inc. in case against Verizon concerning Verizon charges for make-ready work in connection with pole attachments. (2012)

Virginia State Corporation Commission pole attachment proceeding

Represented cable operator in proceeding before the Virginia State Corporation Commission concerning the appropriate formula for calculating pole attachment rental rates for electric cooperative pole owners. (2011)

Pole attachments for Florida Cable Telecommunications Association Inc.

Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) rulemaking and related proceedings concerning electric utility storm hardening plans. Successfully limited PSC oversight of the standards and procedures governing third-party attachments to utility poles. (2008)

Professional & Community Activities

  • American Bar Association
  • Federal Communications Bar Association
  • Women in Cable & Telecommunications
  • Volunteer, Washington Legal Clinic for the Homeless
  • Team Hoyt Runner/Volunteer

Professional Recognition

  • Named to "Capital Pro Bono Honor Roll" by the D.C. Court of Appeals and the D.C. Superior Court, 2012
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Education

  • J.D., The George Washington University Law School, 1992
  • B.A., University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 1989

Related Practices

Admitted to Practice

  • District of Columbia, 1993
  • Virginia, 1992