Representative Experience
Eastgate Regional Council of Governments. Ice Miller was engaged by the Eastgate Regional Council of Governments (“Eastgate”) to complete a
Regional Broadband Feasibility Study for Ashtabula, Mahoning, and Trumbull Counties, Ohio. Eastgate issued a Request for Proposals in September 2020 seeking the services of a consultant/firm to perform the study for the three-county region. Ice Miller’s proposal was awarded the contract in November 2020 by the selection committee, comprised of stakeholders from each county. The study focused on providing enhanced and reliable broadband internet service to rural areas lacking appropriate coverage, as well as urban centers that require increased speed and access. In November 2021, the Vibrant NEO Board (or Northeast Ohio Sustainable Communities Consortium - NEOSCC) announced Eastgate as a
2021 Champion Award Winner for its Broadband Feasibility Study.
The
Miami Valley Communications Council (MVCC) was recognized as one of eleven
“Smart 50 Award” winners for 2020 for its Gateway Fiber Project. This award is given in partnership by Smart Cities Connect, Smart Cities Connect Foundation and US Ignite to recognize and honor the 50 most transformative, innovative and influential “Smart City” projects from several countries around the globe. In addition to our MVCC representation, each of its member cities (Centerville, Kettering, Miamisburg, Moraine, Oakwood, Springboro and West Carrollton, Ohio) are, or previously have been, clients of the Firm.
Ohio Academic Resources Network (OARnet). Ice Miller represented OARnet in the development and implementation of its fiber optic network, the second largest state-owned fiber network in the country.
Ohio Board of Development. Ice Miller represented the Ohio Board of Development in the drafting of the Ohio Broadband Policy.
Ohio Department of Higher Education (formerly the Ohio Board of Regents). Ice Miller represented the Ohio Board of Regents and the Ohio Super Computer Center in the development and implementation of the OSCnet, the largest state-owned fiber network in the country.
Agile Network Builders, LLC (“Agile”). Represented Agile, a hybrid fiber-wireless broadband provider, in its acquisition by InSite Wireless Group, LLC (“Insite”). Agile will continue operating as a division of InSite, which is based in Alexandria, Virginia. Prior to the acquisition, Ice Miller had been representing Agile since 2010 in various legal and consulting capacities. Agile had previously been awarded a contract to upgrade the Multi-Agency Radio Communications (MARCS) network in Ohio, which powers state emergency radio communications. The organization also contracts with state and local governments and private providers to expand broadband coverage in difficult to serve regions.
Ohio Department of Transportation. Ice Miller represented the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) in the development of its US-33 Smart Mobility Corridor, which is slated to be the longest connected / autonomous vehicle testing corridor in the world. This representation included creating the concept, drafting procurement and contract documents and handling contract negotiations. The project included the cities of Dublin and Marysville, Ohio; Union County, Ohio; Logan County; Ohio Economic Development; ODOT; Honda; Battelle; and engineering firm, Michael Baker International. More than $3.4 million in public and private match dollars has been contributed for the installation of a 432-strand fiber network and dedicated short-range communications / roadside units, the installation of communication devices/ Wi-Fi in fleets, warning systems and smart traffic signals, and data collection.
Ohio Board of Tax Appeal. Represented an Internet, Data and VOIP communications company, which owns and operates data centers, in its appeal of a significant use tax assessment relating to telecommunications services. The Department of Taxation assessed use taxes on the client’s provision of efficient internet routes for customers on the grounds that the client’s selection of the pathways added new value and security to the pathways the client purchased from providers. The assessment was retrospective but also created risk of future, ongoing use tax assessments. We were able to resolve the assessment in the client’s favor through appeal to the Ohio Board of Tax Appeal.
Municipalities. Ice Miller represented 50 communities in litigation of Ohio Senate Bill 331, which prevented cities from restricting small cell infrastructure placement in local rights-of-way, and was found to be unconstitutionally enacted by the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas. Ice Miller then negotiated a new, better bill for the same municipalities. Ice Miller represents municipalities with their Requests for Information (RFIs) and negotiates the creation and construction of fiber optic systems for cities and towns, including the cities of: New Albany, Gahanna and Dublin, Ohio.
City of Dublin, Ohio. Ice Miller represented the City of Dublin in the development of “Dublink,” which includes 125 miles of fiber optics, a conduit system, and a Wi-Fi system, all connected to a municipal data center and OARnet. The City of Dublin and its Dublink project have attracted international attention, including being named one of the top seven intelligent communities of the year by the Intelligent Community Forum in both 2010 and 2011. Dublink also received an award from the National Science Foundation and the White House’s broadband initiative, US Ignite. Ice Miller subsequently represented the City in drafting agreements and negotiating transactions associated with the maintenance and sale of fibers for Dublink.
City of Columbus, Ohio. Ice Miller represented the City of Columbus, Ohio in drafting the formal telecommunications policy for the city. Columbus was named Intelligent Community of the year in 2016 by the Intelligent Community Forum and won a $40M Smart City grant through the U.S. Department of Transportation.