Timothy (“Tim”) Bransford provides guidance to clients on satellite, space, and wireless regulatory issues before the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), the Interdepartment Radio Advisory Committee (IRAC), National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), as well as other domestic and international regulators. For over twenty years, Tim has represented and advised publicly traded and privately held companies on a multitude of regulatory issues to secure government approvals in the satellite, space, and wireless industries. He has also assisted private equity entities in evaluating space and satellite companies for investment purposes.

Working with geostationary and non-geostationary satellite operators and cutting-edge space technology companies, Tim has obtained launch authority, market access authorization, special temporary authority, and experimental licenses from the FCC. On behalf of his clients, Tim has also successfully coordinated through the IRAC advisory body bespoke and complex space-based networks employing frequencies allocated on a primary basis for federal use. Among others, such clients include operators of Direct-to-Device satellite constellations, lunar landers, synthetic aperture radar imaging spacecraft, satellite relay networks, and conventional “bent-pipe” communications satellites. Tim assists clients in coordinating and obtaining approval to operate satellite ground stations. Tim enjoys longstanding relationships with international regulators, and assists clients in obtaining market access for their space networks in foreign jurisdictions.

Outside of the space and satellite arena, Tim guides clients that manufacture radiofrequency hardware through the FCC equipment authorization process to allow the sales and marketing of such devices in the domestic market, and provides advice on the international homologation of a broad range of wireless hardware and apparatus. Tim advocates before the FCC, NTIA, IRAC and other agencies on changes to radiofrequency allocations and technical service rules that will better enable the shared use of finite spectrum between the federal government and commercial users, and has been heavily involved in numerous proceedings involving geolocation fencing and other technologies to accommodate more intense use of frequencies with underlying incumbent users that require interference protection.

Denise Wood is a trusted advisor to technology and communications companies, focusing on commercial and regulatory matters with a particular emphasis on space and satellite issues and subsea and terrestrial digital infrastructure. Her diverse clientele spans the technology and communications sectors, where she provides tailored legal and strategic guidance to help businesses thrive in complex, rapidly evolving industries.

In the space and satellite sector, Denise assists operators in securing critical Federal Communications Commission (FCC) authorizations for the launch and operation of satellite constellations and payloads. Her experience extends to obtaining market access, experimental and special temporary authority for cutting-edge satellite technology, and navigating intricate regulatory challenges, including spectrum usage, foreign ownership, orbital debris mitigation, and coordination with other government agencies. With a deep understanding of the industry, Denise also drafts and negotiates commercial agreements such as launch services agreements, spectrum lease agreements, and commercial agreements to support her clients’ operational needs.