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 – 2022)
- 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 — October 2021
October 19, 2021 |Article
What’s New in 5G - October 2021
October 6, 2021 |Blog
News & Press
Events
Russell Fox will be speak on a MyLawCLE webinar, "Robocalling and Robotexts: What consent is necessary and recent changes in FCC regulation."
Viewpoints
Monthly TCPA Digest — October 2021
October 19, 2021 | Article | By Russell Fox, Joshua Briones, Jonathan P. Garvin, Esteban Morales
We are pleased to present our latest Monthly TCPA Digest, providing insights and news related to the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA). In this issue’s Regulatory Update, we discuss the FCC’s adoption of the FNPRM, a rule intended to help curb illegal robocalls originating outside of the United States, as well as the PSAP FNPRM, which seeks to protect the nation’s 911 emergency response centers from potentially debilitating robocalling attacks. In addition, we cover Sen. Richard Blumenthal’s recent request that the FCC take additional steps to block spam text messages and his support for its proposal to shorten STIR/SHAKEN implementation deadlines for certain providers.
Read more
TCPA Regulatory Update — Blocking Foreign-Initiated Robocalls, Safeguarding PSAP Phone Numbers, and Blocking Spam Texts
October 19, 2021 | Article | By Russell Fox, Jonathan P. Garvin
TCPA Regulatory Update – Blocking Foreign-Initiated Robocalls, Safeguarding PSAP Phone Numbers, and Blocking Spam Texts
Read more
What’s New in 5G - October 2021
October 6, 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.
Read more
Monthly TCPA Digest — September 2021
September 21, 2021 | Article | By Russell Fox, Joshua Briones, Jonathan P. Garvin, Crystal Lopez
Our TCPA newsletter discusses proposed rulemaking items on the FCC’s September Open Meeting agenda involving the Do-Not-Call registry for 911 call centers and gateway providers for foreign-originated calls to the United States, and covers the 6th Circuit’s Lindenbaum v. Realgy decision rejecting the Creasy v. Charter Communications federal court ruling.
Read more
TCPA Regulatory Update — FCC Attempts to Curb Robocalls to 911 Call Centers; Stop Illegal Robocalls from Entering American Phone Networks
September 21, 2021 | Article | By Russell Fox, Jonathan P. Garvin
Read about two proposed rulemaking items on the FCC’s September Open Meeting agenda involving the Do-Not-Call registry for 911 call centers and gateway providers, or the first U.S.–based provider in the call path of a foreign-originated call.
Read more
What’s New in 5G - September 2021
September 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.
Read more
Monthly TCPA Digest — August 2021
August 18, 2021 | Article | By Russell Fox, Joshua Briones, Crystal Lopez, Esteban Morales, Matthew Novian
Our TCPA newsletter covers the FCC’s adoption of processes to appeal a decision to revoke a VoIP provider’s STIR/SHAKEN Service Provider Code (SPC) and to limit the ability of interconnected VoIP providers to obtain phone numbers for customers directly from the Numbering Administrator and discusses how courts are applying Facebook to dispose of TCPA cases at summary judgment – a welcome development for TCPA defendants.
Read more
TCPA Regulatory Update — FCC Adopts Two Items, Continues to Tackle Robocalls at August Open Meeting
August 18, 2021 | Article | By Russell Fox
The STIR/SHAKEN implementation deadline has passed, but the fight against illegal robocalls is far from over. At the August Open Meeting, the FCC adopted two items which would refine the FCC’s processes and adopt new tools to fight illegal robocalls.
Read more
What’s New in 5G - August 2021
August 3, 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.
Read more
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.
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
Oct
12
2021
Robocalling and Robotexts: What Consent is Necessary and Recent Changes in FCC Regulation
MyLawCLE
Virtual Event
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