Remembering Carl Kandutsch

Carl Kandutsch and Rocket

Broadband Communities recently lost a friend to the multifamily telecommunications industry and a longtime contributor on the legal panel at the Broadband Communities Summit. Carl Kandutsch passed away unexpectedly at the end of May after infection and complications suffered from a spider bite while in Ecuador. We have lost a brilliant legal mind.

As a former staff attorney at the Cable Bureau of the FCC, Carl was incredibly well versed in FCC law, taking a lead role in drafting amendments to the commission’s rules governing the disposition of cable home-run wiring and cable home wiring while there. He operated a solo law practice based in Plano, Texas, and had represented property owners and broadband service providers with legal needs related to telecommunications law and real estate since 2008.

“Carl Kandutsch was a strong supporter for property owner rights, apartment residents and service providers,” said Bryan J. Rader, president of MDU at Pavlov Media, Inc. “He represented all parties with conviction and real-world knowledge of our business and always looked for ways to amicably solve any potential issue. His efforts as an advocate for multifamily tech will be missed by many in our industry.”

Dick Price, CEO of Broadband Planning, worked with Carl on many projects and found him a great resource and asset to the overall broadband community. “Carl was a true intellectual and very well read on many subjects,” Price said.  “He was always willing to help on any legal task, especially the more nontraditional issues. His network of experts allowed him to gain quick knowledge and perspective on any aspect of broadband development. Carl was friends with many of us, and his willingness to always help leaves a big void in broadband in high-density housing.”

Carl was highly educated: he earned a bachelor’s degree in Humanities from Johns Hopkins University, a doctorate in comparative literature from Yale University, and a  juris doctor from the University of Washington School of Law. He displayed values of integrity, commitment and expertise when advocating for his clients, and his impeccable writing abilities were an asset to the Multifamily Broadband Council (MBC), where he served as a board member from 2008 to 2020.

“Carl was always generous with his time and effort to further the cause of the independent ISP. He freely gave insightful analysis of the current FCC rulings at conferences and seminars. Carl was genuinely a very good person to know. We have lost a true friend of our industry,” said Dan Terheggen, CEO of Smartaira and former MBC president.

Fellow attorney Ian Davis of Davis Craig PLLC reflected, “I had the pleasure of knowing Carl Kandutsch as a friend, then as a co-worker and ultimately as opposing counsel. He was a kind soul who made time for everyone, especially if you wanted to talk about telecommunications. Carl was unique in many ways. Perhaps his greatest uniqueness was the fact that, in the 20 years I knew him, he never spoke poorly of anyone, and I never heard anyone speak poorly about Carl. That’s quite an accomplishment for anyone, particularly an attorney!”

Those who knew Carl best appreciated his love of literature, photography, art and information and took comfort knowing he is now reunited with his dog and best friend, Rocket. Rest well, Carl.

Valerie M. Sargent

Valerie M. Sargent is a multifamily speaker, trainer and executive consultant and is the multifamily news correspondent for Broadband Communities. Contact her at valerie@bbcmag.com.