We act for players in every area of the telecommunications, media and technology (TMT) sectors.

Telecommunications

Our general telecommunications experience

Since the first privatisation of incumbent telecoms operators, our telecommunications, media and technology (TMT) group has been closely involved in assisting telecoms companies across Europe and elsewhere - from fixed network operators to wireless broadband local loop operators, mobile operators, satellite operators and service providers. We have advised on all relevant areas of law and a wide variety of projects, including:

  • regulatory matters such as licensing, interconnection negotiations and proceedings before regulatory authorities, as well as regulatory issues affecting infrastructure, wireless local loop projects, local loop unbundling, DSL and flatrate access;
  • commercial contracts for infrastructure projects, capacity purchase, co-location and outsourcing;
  • the development of telecoms regulatory regimes by governments;
  • the antitrust aspects of strategic alliances, partnering and commercial agreements, as well as conduct issues such as pricing and access;
  • privatisations, private equity investments and IPOs;
  • project and commercial telecoms finance, including vendor financings, for start-ups, licence acquisition and network roll-out; and
  • strategic joint ventures and M&A.

Our mobile telecoms experience

One of our key strengths is our experience in the dynamic mobile telecoms sector. We have advised operators using early GSM networks through to third generation networks.

We have recently advised on a range of legal issues and projects, including:

  • participation in UMTS auctions and beauty parades around Europe;
  • telecoms finance for licence bid bonds, start-ups and network roll-out, including bank bond and vendor facilities;
  • strategic joint ventures and M&A;
  • commercial contracts for network build-out, capacity purchase, network access, co-location, equipment supply and outsourcing;
  • initial public offerings;
  • the antitrust aspects of network owners' upstream and downstream commercial agreements;
  • regulatory matters such as licensing, frequency allocation, roaming, interconnection and reviewing the legality of regulators' decisions;
  • MVNO (mobile virtual network operator) arrangements; and
  • environmental health issues.
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Media and broadband

Our media and broadband experience

We have significant experience of advising publishers, TV and radio broadcasters, cable TV providers and satellite TV operators. We also advise these companies on the delivery of their services and products over new digital technologies as well as advising content owners and new media companies, such as interactive TV providers and fixed and mobile portal operators.

We have advised on:

  • regulatory issues such as cross-ownership requirements and licensing and broadcast content restrictions;
  • the antitrust aspects of rights acquisition and downstream distribution and 'abuse of dominance' issues arising in these sectors;
  • a wide range of funding issues, including sponsorship deals, public sector financing and state aid, as well as equity offerings;
  • strategic joint ventures and M&A;
  • intellectual property matters, including use and protection of domain names and trade marks and data protection issues; and
  • finance for acquisitions, corporate development and corporate restructuring.
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Technology

Our technology experience

We are experienced in advising the whole range of technology companies, from hardware manufacturers to software suppliers to IT service providers on all key corporate, financing, antitrust, commercial and intellectual property matters. Our widespread experience includes advising on:

  • strategic joint ventures and M&A;
  • funding arrangements, including IPOs and the financing for acquisitions, corporate development and corporate restructuring;
  • project finance for public sector investment in hi-tech facilities;
  • a wide range of commercial matters, including international shrinkwrap and operating licences and distribution agreements;
  • outsourcing agreements (for both service providers and recipients); and
  • patent infringement and other intellectual property matters.
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E-commerce and m-commerce

Our e-commerce and m-commerce experience

Our telecommunications, media and technology group is responsible for co-ordinating our e-commerce and m-commerce practice throughout the firm, whether we are acting for so-called new or old economy clients.

We advise on the whole range of issues faced by major international companies and institutions in relation to their online capabilities as well as 'virtual' businesses dependent on online technologies and start-ups. We cover B2B and B2C e-commerce and m-commerce projects, including:

  • establishing trading, sales and purchasing platforms and financial services extranets;
  • all commercial arrangements needed by ISPs and ASPs;
  • venture capital investment in hi-tech projects, particularly relating to private equity fund raising activities and IPOs; and
  • internet start-ups.

We also act for banks and other financiers investing in major projects in all of the TMT sectors.

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Our telecommunications, media and technology clients

Local skills and international capabilities

Our clients operate in an international and converging environment and we are committed to helping them shape their markets and adapt to change.

Wherever we practise, our clients can expect top-quality local legal advice together with the resources and reach of a leading international law firm. We combine expert legal skills with geographic coverage, delivering an integrated international service to our clients quickly and efficiently.

Our track record speaks for itself. For transactional work, for example, the following are just a few well-known deals on which we have worked.

  • Agilent's worldwide demerger from Hewlett-Packard.
  • China Telecom's mobile acquisition and offering.
  • China Unicom's offering.
  • Deutsche Bank/TeleColumbus/Deutsche Telekom/NTL/ Callahan/UPC on the restructuring of the German cable TV market.
  • EMI/Time Warner.
  • The European 3G auctions (and associated transactions) for Hutchison Whampoa, Mobilcom, Mannesmann Mobilfunk and others.
  • Mannesmann/Orange.
  • Olivetti/Telecom Italia.
  • Orange's IPO.
  • Pearson Television/CLT-UFA (Bertelsmann).
  • The roll-out of Global Crossing's network across Europe.
  • Vodafone/Airtouch.
  • Vodafone/Mannesmann.

As well as our transactional strengths, we have an extensive advisory practice in the commercial, antitrust, regulatory, financial and intellectual property/information technology fields. A description of the wide range of services we offer appears on these pages and we can provide more detailed information for particular areas on request.

For more information please contact Astrid Kochs, business development manager.

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News

Freshfields advises Siemens on sale of Fujitsu Siemens share to Fujitsu View

Freshfields advises Saudi Telecom Company on first Middle Eastern content joint venture View

Briefings

Court upholds Deutsche Telekom margin squeeze fine  View

Intense debates expected on EU telecoms reform package  View

Awards

M&A Deal of the Year went to China Unicom's acquisition of China Netcom - Financial Times Mergermarket M&A Awards Asia: Deal of the Year (2008)

IT/Telecommunications Deal of the year - Asian Legal Business Awards (2008)

View all awards

Contacts