FAQs
1. What does Russ-Hobart do?
Russ-Hobart advises commercial real estate owners on broadband and wireless infrastructure agreements. We help owners evaluate opportunities, negotiate commercial terms, protect property rights, and manage telecommunications assets across individual properties and entire portfolios.
2. Who does Russ-Hobart represent?
We represent property owners and their interests. Our clients include REITs, commercial real estate investors, asset managers, and other property stakeholders seeking specialized telecommunications expertise.
3. What types of agreements do you advise on?
We advise on broadband right-of-entry agreements, rooftop and tower leases, small-cell agreements, and related infrastructure arrangements. Our work includes new agreements, renewals, amendments, rent reviews, and evaluations of lease buyouts.
4. What is a broadband right-of-entry agreement?
A broadband right-of-entry, or ROE, agreement establishes a provider’s rights to enter a property and install, operate, and maintain telecommunications facilities. These rights may include use of conduit, building pathways, telecom rooms, equipment space, and power. The agreement should clearly define the permitted use and each party’s responsibilities.
5. Can broadband agreements generate revenue for property owners?
Depending on the circumstances, owners may be able to negotiate compensation for infrastructure use and recover costs associated with provider access. The opportunity depends on existing agreements, property characteristics, provider requirements, tenant needs, and applicable law. We evaluate those factors before recommending an approach.
6. Will negotiating an agreement delay service to our tenants?
Tenant connectivity is central to our approach. We help establish clear requirements and coordinate negotiations with the property team to support timely service delivery. Addressing access, construction, and commercial terms early reduces uncertainty and avoids last-minute disputes.
7. Can you improve agreements that are already in place?
We review existing agreements to identify obligations, deadlines, and potential opportunities. Renewals, equipment expansions, amendments, and other changes may create an opening to revisit terms. Existing contracts determine what we can change and when.
8. How do you assess the value of a rooftop, tower, or telecom location?
We evaluate the location’s role in the provider’s network, available alternatives, infrastructure, equipment footprint, access requirements, and existing lease rights. We also consider relevant market evidence and the owner’s property objectives. Square footage alone rarely tells the whole story.
9. What matters besides rent in a telecom agreement?
Equipment expansion, access, utilities, assignment, relocation, removal, and restoration can all affect the property over time. We help owners evaluate these provisions alongside rent, escalation, and renewal terms so the agreement supports both current operations and future plans.
10. Should we accept a wireless lease buyout offer?
A lump-sum offer should be evaluated against the expected lease income, future escalations, tenant retention risk, rights being transferred, and the owner’s investment objectives. We help owners compare alternatives and coordinate with their legal and tax advisors before they decide.
11. Can Russ-Hobart manage telecom opportunities across our portfolio?
Yes. We help owners establish a consistent approach to agreement review, provider access, compensation, and cost recovery. A portfolio review can identify upcoming deadlines, inconsistent terms, and opportunities to improve how telecommunications assets are managed.
12. How do you work with our attorneys and property managers?
We provide telecommunications and commercial expertise alongside the owner’s existing team. We help define business requirements, evaluate provider requests, and support negotiations. Legal counsel addresses legal matters, while property and engineering teams help ensure the terms work operationally.
13. How are your fees structured?
Our approach emphasizes performance-based compensation aligned with client outcomes- we don’t get paid until you get paid.
14. When should we contact Russ-Hobart?
Contact us when a provider proposes an agreement, requests changes, approaches a renewal, or presents a buyout offer. A planned sale or redevelopment is also a good time to review existing rights. Bring us the agreement or proposal for a complimentary initial consultation.