Situation
In 2003, the Federal Communications Commission adopted regulations that required local telephone companies, such as the Bellsouth Corporation, to continue leasing access to their competitors at below-market, government-set prices. These regulations reduced the incentive for telephone companies to invest in the maintenance and expansion of their networks. In March of 2004, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia threw out the FCC’s rules, sparking cries for the Bush Administration to appeal the decision to the U.S. Supreme Court.
Strategy
Navigators Global Principal Cesar Conda provided Bellsouth with strategic advice and counsel about how to effectively make its case against appeal to the Administration. In addition to traditional line-lobbying, Conda activated a network of free market think tank scholars and conservative opinion leaders supportive of telecommunications deregulation.
Outcome
On June 9, 2004, the Bush Administration announced that it would not appeal the case to the Supreme Court.