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.
Education
- Duke University (JD)
- University of Rochester (BA)
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.
Recognition & Awards
- Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent
- Best Lawyers in America: Communications Law (2019 – 2021)
- Recommended by the Legal 500 United States for Telecom & Broadcast: Regulatory (2017 – 2021)
Involvement
- Member, Federal Communications Bar Association
- Fellow, Radio Club of America
Recent Insights
Viewpoints
Monthly TCPA Digest — July 2021
July 15, 2021 |Article
News & Press
In the latest guide, Mintz garnered rankings as a top national firm in eight practice areas, and 32 firm attorneys were individually recognized.
Viewpoints
Monthly TCPA Digest — July 2021
July 15, 2021 | Article | By Russell Fox, Joshua Briones, Jonathan P. Garvin, Natalie Prescott
TCPA Regulatory Update — Strong Support for USTelecom to Remain Leader of Registered Traceback Consortium
July 15, 2021 | Article | By Russell Fox, Jonathan P. Garvin
Pursuant to the Pallone-Thune Telephone Robocall Abuse Criminal Enforcement and Deterrence Act (“TRACED Act”) and FCC rules, the FCC must annually select a single registered consortium that conducts private-led efforts to trace back the origin of suspected unlawful robocalls.
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TCPA Regulatory Update — Former Senate Candidate Seeks Declaratory Ruling on Ringless Voicemail
July 15, 2021 | Article | By Russell Fox, Jonathan P. Garvin
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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TCPA Regulatory Update — FCC Adopts Rules for Private Entity Robocall Reporting and Releases Second Call Blocking Report
July 15, 2021 | Article | By Russell Fox, Jonathan P. Garvin
The FCC adopted rules establishing a new reporting system for private entities to alert the FCC Enforcement Bureau directly of suspected robocalling and spoofing campaigns.
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TCPA Regulatory Update — STIR/SHAKEN and Robocall Mitigation Database Implementation Take Effect
July 15, 2021 | Article | By Russell Fox, Jonathan P. Garvin
America’s largest voice service providers are now using STIR/SHAKEN caller ID authentication standards on their Internet Protocol (“IP”) networks.
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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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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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TCPA Regulatory Update — Commission to Establish Online Robocall and Spoofing Information Portal
June 15, 2021 | Article | By Russell Fox, Jonathan P. Garvin
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.
Read more
TCPA Regulatory Update — Commission Signs Memorandum of Understanding with Australian Communications Authority
June 15, 2021 | Article | By Russell Fox, Jonathan P. Garvin
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).
Read more
News & Press
Mintz Practice Groups and Attorneys Garner Top Rankings in 2020 Edition of The Legal 500 United States
June 12, 2020
In the latest guide, Mintz garnered rankings as a top national firm in eight practice areas, and 32 firm attorneys were individually recognized.
Mintz Attorney Russell H. Fox to Speak at 2013 mHealth Summit
December 09, 2013
Events
Speaker
Feb
28
2019
Five Steps to 5G: Prepping for the Next Generation
3580 Carmel Mountain Road, Suite 300, San Diego, CA 92130
Speaker
Speaker
Speaker