Gallitano & O'Connor attorneys have significant communications-related transactional experience, including transactions involving the acquisition and deployment of equipment such as switches and routers, and those involving the acquisition of services, including wireless, long distance, ATM frame relay, T1, microwave communications and fiber optic communications services. We have an in-depth understanding of the industry and its technologies stemming from our historical representation of a number of service providers, including WorldCom, MFS Communications Company (acquired by WorldCom), Level 3 Communications, Allegiance Telecom, MetroPCS Communications, Looking Glass Networks and Verio.

Representative Transactions

• On behalf of the State of Illinois and all of its agencies, we negotiated a 7-year, all-inclusive contract for telecommunications services, including T1 and ATM frame relay network infrastructure, fraud surveillance, mobile phones, 800 numbers, POTS and Centrex infrastructure. International telecommunications services also were part of the negotiated service package.

• We represented one of California's largest health care providers, then the second largest consumer of telecommunications services in the State of California, in negotiations involving a multi-year telecommunications services contract with SBC covering all forms of telecommunications services, as well as certain outsourced services, such as help desk and network surveillance.

• We represented a large manufacturing company in simultaneously negotiating with AT&T Wireless, Nextel, Sprint and Verizon Wireless for the purchase of equipment, services and support needed to meet the wireless communications needs of employees working from 300 branch offices across the United States.

• We have represented a variety of communications companies in telecommunications equipment acquisition contracts with major manufacturers such as Lucent, Nortel, Avaya, Fujitsu and others. 

• The Illinois State Toll Highway Authority (ISTHA) retained Gallitano & O'Connor to represent it in connection with its telecommunications initiatives, including:
  
  
  • Procuring a digital microwave system to replace the ISTHA's aging analog microwave communications system. We were able to leverage the FCC's sale of spectrum to cause the wireless licensees (and not the ISTHA) to pay for the entire cost of the replacement system.
    
    
  • Entering into a joint venture arrangement to build, and then lease, fiber optic network capacity on 285 miles of ISTHA right-of-way.
    
    
  • Structuring its cellular tower leasing program.
    
    
  • Upgrading and replacing the state's I-PASS/EZ-PASS systems, permitting Open Road Tolling passage of vehicles. This is a new technology that virtually eliminates traditional toll gate structures.  

• We have represented many companies and governmental agencies (including the ISTHA and the Chicago Transit Authority) in fiber optic leasing and licensing transactions, including joint venture revenue sharing arrangements.

Vendor Experience

We have negotiated communications transactions with a large number of vendors, including: