Overview
Chris Bjornson represents companies who provide satellite, internet, wireless telecommunications, and video programming services before the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC), and other foreign and domestic government agencies.
Chris has extensive experience with major telecommunications transactions, complex licensing matters, rulemakings, spectrum auctions, and compliance matters.
His transaction-related experience includes coordinating FCC approvals for multibillion-dollar transactions, leading diligence and compliance efforts that have removed impediments to closing transactions, gaining expedited approvals for license transfers, and opposing major transactions. He was a key member of the teams that helped defeat the Sinclair-Tribune and Comcast-Time Warner Cable mergers, as well as the efforts to attach conditions to the Comcast-NBCU and Sprint-T-Mobile transactions.
Chris' regulatory, licensing and compliance experience spans a wide variety of communications law subject matters, representing clients before the FCC with complex satellite, wireless, and experimental licensing applications; universal service filings, compliance, and appeals; and video programming issues. He has been active in rulemakings before the FCC's Media, Space, Wireless, and Wireline Bureaus. He has been on the cutting edge of FCC licensing matters, helping a client obtain the first space station license under the FCC's first-come, first-served procedures and the first earth station onboard vessel authorization. He has helped clients obtain over 150 experimental authorizations. As a member of the US delegation to WRC-15, he helped secure adoption of a future agenda item.
Chris' pro bono work has been recognized by the DC Bar, the Virginia State Bar, and the Citizens United for the Rehabilitation of Errants.
- District of Columbia
- Virginia
- Supreme Court of the United States
- J.D., Catholic University of America, magna cum laude; Institute for Communications Law Studies; Associate Editor, Catholic University Law Review
- M.P.Aff., University of Texas, LBJ School of Public Affairs, LBJ Award for Academic Excellence
- B.J., University of Texas, College of Communication
Representative Matters
- Coordinated regulatory process leading to the launch of an NGSO satellite system.
- Obtained over 150 FCC experimental licenses and STAs for various clients.
- Successfully advocated for conditions on the Sprint-T-Mobile merger.
- Successfully led effort to deny the Sinclair-Tribune merger.
- Helped defeat the Comcast-TWC merger.
- Represented US as a delegate to the 2015 World Radiocommunication Conference and helped secure an Agenda Item for WRC-19.
- Negotiated and coordinated sale of 800 MHz licenses for $60 million ($1.07/MKz/POP).
- Assisted client in obtaining nationwide licenses for 40 MHz of wireless spectrum.
- Coordinated regulatory process for assignment and transfer of control of DBSD and Terrestar to DISH. Participated in all aspects of bankruptcy and transaction negotiations.
- Coordinated regulatory process for transfer of control over Hughes to EchoStar.
- Successfully advocated for conditions on the Comcast-NBC merger.
- Advocated for changes to copyright laws to facilitate satellite broadcast of local stations.
- Worked with the FCC Office of General Counsel to update and reform the FCC’s ex parte
- Assisted with major wireless transactions from both buyer and seller sides.
- Helped secure the first license for an earth station onboard a vessel.
- Coordinated assignment of the Rainbow-1 DBS satellite from Rainbow to DISH.
- Successfully advocated for conditions on the DIRECTV-News Corp. merger.
- Assisted client in obtaining first space station license under FCC’s first-come, first-served rules.
- Coordinated regulatory process for launch of the Rainbow-1 satellite and imitation of service.
- Secured two DBS channels for Rainbow without the use of FCC auction process.
- Successfully represented pro bono client against FCC imposition of additional surcharge on inmate payphones.
- Recognized by the FCC with a “Partnership Award” for helping develop electronic databases.
Speaking Engagements
- "The Nuts and Bolts of Telecom and Media Transactions," Federal Communications Bar Association, January 19, 2023
- "FCC Captioning Rules: Are You in Compliance?," Latakoo webinar, October 5, 2017
- "The Global Search for 5G: Spectrum, Technology, Services and Standards," Federal Communications Bar Association, June 19, 2017
- Co-Chair, "FCC Boot Camp," American Conference Institute, June 23, 2015
- Moderator, "Adapting Law and Regulation to New Video Distribution Technologies," Federal Communications Bar Association, June 7, 2011
News & Publications
Press Releases
Steptoe Volunteers Honor Local Firefighters to Pay it Forward 9/11
September 10, 2021
Client Alerts
Steptoe Executive Order on Competition (EOC) Tracker
July 21, 2021
By: Michael L. Weiner, Micah S. Green, Leslie A. Belcher, Christopher Bjornson, John J. Kavanagh, Pantelis Michalopoulos, Scott A. Sinder, Bill Toth, Travis West, Peter W. Denton
Media Mentions
Chris Bjornson Receives LBJ Washington Center's Distinguished DC Alumni Award
June 10, 2019
Press Releases
Steptoe Receives 32 Practice, 135 Individual Mentions in Legal 500 US 2018
May 30, 2018
Press Releases
Steptoe Receives 28 Practice, 114 Individual Mentions in Legal 500 US 2017
June 2, 2017
Press Releases
Steptoe Receives 26 Practice, 120 Individual Mentions in Legal 500 US 2016
June 15, 2016
Resources
Noteworthy
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Chambers USA, Telecom, Broadcast & Satellite (2025)
- Legal 500 US, Media, Technology & Telecoms: Telecoms & Broadcast, Regulatory
- Legal 500 US, Media, Technology & Telecoms: Telecoms & Broadcast, Transactional
- Best Lawyers in America
- Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs, Distinguished Federal Policy Alumni Award
- Member, Chancellor's Council, University of Texas System
- Advisory Board, Bill Archer Center of the University of Texas System
- Dean’s Advisory Council, Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs
- Board member, Pay It Forward 9/11
Professional Affiliations
- ITU Roster of Experts
- US Delegate, 2015 World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC-15)
- Co-chair, FCBA Transactions Committee (2019-present)
- Co-chair, FCBA Access to Government Committee (2002-2010, 2017-2019)
- Co-chair, FCBA International Committee (2016-2017)
- Co-chair, FCBA Video Programming and Distribution Committee (2010-2016)
- Co-chair, DC Bar, National Security Committee, International Law Community (2021-present)
- Chair, DC Bar, Global Technology and Telecommunications Committee, International Law Community (2018-2021)