Bruce A.Olcott

Partner

Washington + 1.202.879.3630

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Bruce Olcott has a broad range of experience in communications law and policy. His practice focuses on regulatory and transactional issues involving wireless and wireline services, including satellite, cellular, internet, fiber-optic, broadcast, and broadband technologies.

Bruce routinely assists clients before such federal agencies as the FCC, NOAA, NTIA, OSTP, the Departments of State and Commerce, and Team Telecom, along with state regulatory agencies and international bodies such as the International Telecommunications Union (ITU). Bruce's practice focuses on the licensing and leasing of radio frequencies, coordination of spectrum sharing agreements, resolution of interference disputes, and securing carriage and transmission capacity on satellite, wireless, and telecommunications networks. He assists clients in negotiations with network operators, wireless carriers, cable operators, tower, equipment, and service suppliers; satellite operators and manufacturers; and launch service providers. He also assists companies in the communications sector with mergers and acquisitions, antitrust, bankruptcy, and litigation.

Bruce advises clients on regulatory and licensing rules maintained by countries throughout the world governing broadband data, internet access, VoIP, e-commerce, and the operation of satellite, fiber-optic, and undersea cable networks. He has secured operating licenses, equipment certifications, and experimental test authorizations; government approvals for the placement of towers, burying of cable ducts, use of pole attachments, and construction of networks; and ITU orbital registrations for satellite networks. Bruce also assists clients in rulemakings and consultations often seeking the elimination of legal and regulatory barriers to the provision of new communications services. Prior to his legal practice, he served in management and operational capacities at broadcast television stations and a cable television network.

Experience

  • Affiliate of Centre Lane Partners acquires appliance business from Instant BrandsJones Day advised an affiliate of Centre Lane Partners in the acquisition and financing of the appliances business of Instant Brands, designer and distributor of kitchen and home appliances, including the Instant Pot, pursuant to Section 363 of title 11 of the United States Code.
  • Hard Rock International acquires The Mirage Las Vegas Hotel and CasinoJones Day represented Hard Rock International (Hard Rock) on the acquisition of The Mirage Las Vegas Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas from MGM Resorts International.
  • Global internet infrastructure provider acquires nine data centersJones Day advised a global internet infrastructure provider in the acquisition of nine data centers, including colocation and related network services.
  • Signature Aviation sells TAC Air FBOs to Atlantic AviationJones Day advised Signature Aviation in its divestiture of three TAC Air fixed base operations at Omaha, Nebraska (OMA); Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina (RDU); and Hartford, Connecticut (BDL) to Atlantic Aviation.
  • Intelsat closes $6.7 billion DIP-to-exit financing transactionsOn May 13, 2020, Intelsat S.A. and certain of its direct and indirect subsidiaries (the “Intelsat Parties”) filed voluntary petitions with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Virginia commencing their respective cases under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code.
  • Koch Equity Development acquires Transaction Network ServicesJones Day advised Koch Equity Development LLC, the acquisition and investment subsidiary of Koch Industries, Inc., in the acquisition of Transaction Network Services, Inc. (TNS) from affiliates of Siris Capital Group, LLC and TNS' other minority equity holders.
  • Koch Strategic Platforms invests in Astranis Space Technologies valuing company at $1.4 billionJones Day represented Koch Strategic Platforms in connection with its participation in the $250 million Series C financing round of Astranis Space Technologies, a builder of small, low-cost telecommunications satellites to connect the four billion people who currently do not have access to the internet.
  • Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (Indonesia) achieves final close of procurement of US$550 million Government Multifunction Satellite Public Private Partnership projectJones Day advised the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (Indonesia) on the initial tender and procurement, and subsequently the successful financial closing, of a US$550 million Government Multifunction Satellite Public Private Partnership (PPP) Project.
  • Direct lender provides $50 million senior secured term loan facility to internet service providerJones Day advised a direct lender, as administrative agent, collateral agent, and sole lead arranger, in connection with a $50 million senior secured term loan facility provided to an internet service provider, and the receipt of equity securities of the borrower.
  • Five9 acquires Inference Technologies GroupJones Day advised Five9, Inc. in its acquisition of Inference Technologies Group, Inc., a leading global provider of Intelligent Virtual Agents for sales and service organizations.
  • NEP Group acquires Aerial Video SystemsJones Day advised NEP Group in its acquisition of Aerial Video Systems, the Burbank, California-based provider of a range of HD wireless camera systems, aerial productions, and mobile audio and video RF solutions for sports, entertainment, and film clients.
  • DataBank acquires LightBoundJones Day advised DataBank in connection with the acquisition and related financing of LightBound, an Indianapolis-based provider of colocation, Internet, voice, network, and cloud services.
  • Large financial institution provides acquisition financing of provider of security alarms and monitoring servicesJones Day represented a financial institution, as administrative agent and lender, in connection with the financing of a large electronic security company's acquisition of a leading provider of security alarms and monitoring services for commercial and residential customers.
  • Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (Indonesia) procures Government Multifunction Satellite Public Private Partnership projectJones Day represented the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (Indonesia) (MCIT), as international counsel, in connection with its procurement of a Government Multifunction Satellite Public Private Partnership (PPP) Project.
  • Chevron buys Pasadena Refining System for $350 million from Petrobras America Inc.Jones Day advised Chevron U.S.A. Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Chevron Corporation, in its purchase of all of the equity interests of Pasadena Refining System Inc. ("PRSI") and PRSI Trading, LLC from Petrobras America Inc. for $350 million, subject to adjustments for working capital.
  • NEP Group acquires Broadcast Sports International, LLCJones Day advised NEP Group in its acquisition of Broadcast Sports International, LLC, a leading provider of radio-frequency audio-visual solutions to the live sports and broadcast television industry.
  • Sprint completes private placement of $3.9 billion wireless spectrum-backed notesJones Day represented Sprint Corporation, a communications services company, in connection with the issuance by three wholly owned special purpose subsidiaries of $3.9 billion of wireless spectrum-backed notes consisting of approximately $2.1 billion of Series 2018-1 4.738% Senior Secured Notes, Class A-1 and $1.8 billion of Series 2018-1 5.152% Senior Secured Notes, Class A-2, in a Rule 144A and Regulation S private placement.
  • Koch Equity Development commits $650 million preferred equity financing to support Meredith Corporation's $2.8 billion acquisition of Time, Inc.Jones Day advised Koch Equity Development, a subsidiary of Koch Industries, Inc., in connection with its $650 million of preferred equity financing to Meredith Corporation, a media and marketing company, in connection with Meredith’s $2.8 billion acquisition of magazine publisher Time, Inc.
  • J.F. Lehman acquires Waste Control SpecialistsJones Day advised long standing client J.F. Lehman & Company, a leading mid-market private equity firm focused on the defense, aerospace, and maritime sectors, in connection with the acquisition and related financing of Waste Control Specialists LLC, an owner and operator of a unique waste disposal, storage, and treatment facility, from Valhi, Inc.
  • Sierra Wireless acquires Numerex Corp. for $107 millionJones Day advised Sierra Wireless, Inc. as its U.S. counsel in its $107 million stock-for-stock acquisition of Numerex Corp.
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    April 2024 Alert

    CISA Releases Proposed Cyber Incident and Ransom Payment Reporting Rules to Implement CIRCIA

    December 2023 Alert

    New FCC Rule Affects Consumer Consent for Robocalls and Robotexts

    February 2022 Commentary

    Ninth Circuit Approves California's Net Neutrality Law, Shifts Focus to FCC

    October 2021 Alert

    Department of Commerce Seeks Comment on Regulation of IaaS Providers

    April 2021 Commentary

    The Road Ahead for Net Neutrality and the First Amendment

    April 2021 Commentary

    Section 230 a Focus of Debate, Reform Proposals

    March 2021 Commentary

    Commerce Department Rule Authorizes Review of ICTS Transactions Involving "Foreign Adversaries"

    February 2021 Alert

    FAA Issues First Major Unmanned Aircraft Rules Since 2016

    June 2020 White Paper

    Construction Projects and Disputes: A Look Beyond the Lockdown, Part III

    May 2020 White Paper

    Construction Projects and Disputes: A Look Beyond the COVID-19 Lockdown, Part II
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    Speaking Engagements

    • June 10, 2014
      The Growing Commercial Use of Very Small Satellites, panel moderator, The ABA Forum on Air & Space Law, Space Law: Current and Future Issues
    • May 6, 2014
      Executive Roundtable Series: New Frontiers in Health Care and Life Sciences; A Look at the Legal Implication
    • March 27, 2014
      Best Practices in VSAT Spectrum Management, instructor, United States Telecommunications Training Institute.
    • October 24, 2013
      Promoting Universal Service – The Role for Satellites, instructor, United States Telecommunications Training Institute
    • March 17, 2013
      Addressing the IMT Threat to Satellite Spectrum, Global VSAT Forum Senior Executive Summit
    • March 15, 2012
      Receiver Standards – Revisiting the Possible Mandate, Satellite 2012 Conference/GVF Interference Prevention Summit
    • March 15, 2010
      Regulatory Challenges of Merging Broadband Satellite & Wireless into a Unified Value Chain, GVF Summit, Satellite 2010 Conference
    • July 15, 2009
      Introduction to the Broadband Initiatives Program, Broadband Technology Opportunities Program, and State Broadband Data and Development Grant Program, presented during the Broadband Buildout Provisions of the Stimulus Package Telebriefing, Law Seminars International
    • March 24, 2009
      International Satellite Regulatory Issues, GVF Vertical Markets Summit, Satellite 2009 Conference
    • November 6, 2008
      Satellite Communications for the Oil and Gas Industry, the Offshore Communications Conference
    • March 5, 2008
      700 MHz Auction in the United States: Lessons Learned, Policy Tracker European Digital Divide Conference
    • February 25, 2008
      Cracking Vertical Markets: The Legal Implications, Global VSAT Summit, Satellite 2008 Conference
    • January 18, 2005
      The Fight for Spectrum – Satisfying the Needs of New Technology, Pacific Telecommunications Conference
    • January 16, 2005
      Country Market Update: What’s Open and What’s Not, presented at Pacific Telecommunications Conference, GVF Asia-Pac Satcoms Forum
    • January 11, 2004
      Effecting Satellite Competition: The Path to the Liberalised Market, Pacific Telecommunications Conference.
    • November 19, 2003
      The Cost of Benefits; The Benefits of Cost? Can You Pay Too Little For Satellite Services?, SatCon – The Satellite Application Technology Conference & Expo
    • February 11, 2003
      The Satellite Forecasters: Is the Sky Falling?, Satellite 2003 Conference
    • January 18, 2003
      China’s Satellite Market in 2003, The Global VSAT Forum/Pacific Telecommunications Conference – China Telecom Workshop
    • November 19, 2002
      Let’s Make a Deal: The Satellite Capacity Proposition, SatCon – The Satellite Application Technology Conference & Expo
    • March 5, 2002
      Satellite Market Entry in China, presented at The Global VSAT Forum International Satellite Industry Summit

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