Hall Of Fame

Rising Stars

Firms To Watch: Telecoms

Ashurst LLP offers combined expertise in corporate law, M&A and financing. The team assists telecommunications companies with corporate and transactional matters as well as network expansion and project financing, particularly on the lender side.
Watson Farley & Williams LLP‘s team is experienced in public law, commercial administrative law and competition law as well as public procurement and state aid law. The practice advises local authorities and telecommunications companies on the planning and implementation of infrastructure and digitisation projects, including state subsidies, award and competitive procedures.

Telecoms in Germany

Baker McKenzie

Baker McKenzie focuses on advising telecommunications and IT service providers on the planning, development and implementation of new business models nationally and abroad. The team also handles cross-border matters, thanks to the global network. Other core areas include broadband expansion, social media-related issues, regulatory and contract law as well as frequency regulatory advice and clients’ representation before national, European and international authorities and institutions. Mandates in the machine-to-machine communication segment constitute a growth area, where the team acted for German and foreign car manufacturers on issues pertaining to connected cars, while also assisting with the European Electronics  Communications Code in connection with over-the-top offers. Joachim Scherer (national and European public commercial law) and senior counsel Caroline Heinickel (key contact for clients from the IT/C industry) jointly head the practice. Heinickel also heads the Cyber Security Task Force with Holger Lutz (IT) and Heiko Haller (litigation).

Other key lawyers:

Holger Lutz; Heiko Haller


Testimonials

‘Very well structured and fast cooperation possible at any time!’

‘Excellent availability and short response times. Proactive and independent work; Coordination and consultation whenever necessary.’

‘Very high professional level with very good implementation in practice. Flexible response to client requests.’

Key clients

Bandwidth Inc.


Telefónica


Work highlights


  • Advice to Bandwidth Inc. on the acquisition of Voxbone SA. This included the implementation of telecommunications law and regulatory due diligence in more than 40 countries worldwide.

  • Advising Rakuten on a long-term partnership with 1&1 to set up its own mobile network. Together with 1&1, Rakuten will build the first fully virtualized mobile network in Europe based on OpenRAN technology.

  • Ongoing compliance advice to Telefónica with regard to telecommunications regulatory requirements at EU and national level and representing the client in a number of telecommunications disputes.

Bird & Bird LLP

Bird & Bird LLP impresses with traditional telecommunications law expertise as well as with the advice on convergent services. This combined advisory approach is utilised in cross-disciplinary and cross-locational regulatory issues as well as transactions and project work. The team focuses on the hightech sector and advises numerous service providers, network providers, resellers and providers of over-the-top services. Thanks to the close cooperation with the IT practice, the team also handles data protection issues, while the integration into the international network and in particular the cooperation with the locations in Great Britain, France and the Netherlands lead to frequent cross-border instructions. Telecommunications law specialist Sven-Erik Heun heads the team, which also includes senior counsel Valerian Jenny (telecoms, data protection and compliance), Simon Assion (focus on new developments) and Marianne Nawroth (transactions); the latter two made partners in May 2022.

Practice head(s):

Sven-Erik Heun


Key clients

450connect GmbH


Antin Infrastructure Partners


Avaya


BRITA GmbH


Deutsche Beteiligungs AG


Fujitsu Technology Solutions GmbH


Hamburg Commercial Bank


j2 Global Ireland Limited


Lumen Technologies Germany GmbH


MK Netzdienste GmbH & Co. KG


Mobile One GmbH


NFON AG


NTT Ltd


Telefónica Germany GmbH & Co. OHG


Twilio Ireland Ltd.


Verizon Deutschland GmbH / Verizon Connect


Voxbone SA/NV


Zoot


Work highlights


  • Advising 450connect on all regulatory and frequency regulatory issues as well as other projects.

  • Ongoing advice to Antin Infrastructure Partners as sole shareholder of Eurofiber on further financing rounds of a joint venture between Eurofiber and Vattenfall.

  • Ongoing advice to a large IT company on expanding the scope of the TC area-specific data protection law to OTT services and on the implementation of the EECC (European Electronic Communications Code).

Noerr

A particular strength of Noerr ‘s telecommunications practice is the interdisciplinary full-service approach, combining regulatory, corporate and antitrust law expertise. This expertise is called upon by leading industry companies and is partly based on the ongoing advice to Deutsche Telekom on regulatory issues, transactions and fibre optic expansion projects. The team also expanded its client portfolio with players from the satellite-based telecommunications segment. Among the key contacts are Tobias Bosch, who specialises in telecommunications and media law, and Julian von Lucius, whose practice encompasses regulatory issues, public procurement law and infrastructure projects. Pascal Schumacher covers matters at the interface with data protection law, while practice head Tobias Frevert advises German and international clients on projects, cooperations and transactions.

Practice head(s):

Tobias Frevert


Testimonials

‘Very flexible and pleasant atmosphere to work with.’

‘Extensive experience of legislation and real-world operations – the latter being very important – enabling advice on telecoms and privacy issues.’

‘Dr. Frank Hölscher is the lawyer par excellence in telecommunications consulting; due to his many years of experience, his outstanding understanding of business models and their specifics, he can provide tailor-made legal and regulatory advice and he is always available with advice and action if necessary.’

Key clients

Deutsche Telekom AG


Telekom Deutschland GmbH


Accenture


Alibaba


BSH Hausgeräte GmbH


DAZN Germany


Finanz Informatik Technologie Service GmbH & Co. KG


GEMA


HD Plus GmbH


Inmarsat


Microsoft


Nuance Communications, Inc.


Opanga Networks, Inc.


Siemens AG


Work highlights


  • Advising Deutsche Telekom AG on the establishment of a long-term partnership between its group company Telekom Deutschland GmbH and the Australian IFM Global Infrastructure Fund.

  • Representation of Telekom Deutschland GmbH in regulatory issues, in particular leading supervision of the ECJ proceedings on StreamOn.

  • Advising Telekom Deutschland GmbH on various cooperations, in particular on the joint venture withGlass Northwest and on the framework agreement for the long-term provision of the radio infrastructure for Deutsche Telekom’s mobile network by DFMG in the course of the sale of 51% of the shares in DFMG to international financial investors.
    Beratung der Telekom Deutschland GmbH zu verschiedenen Kooperationen, insbesondere zum Joint Venture mit Glasfaser Nordwest und zum Rahmenvertrag über die langfristige Bereitstellung der Funkinfrastruktur für das Mobilfunknetz der Deutschen Telekom durch die DFMG im Zuge des Verkaufs von 51% der Anteile an der DFMG an internationale Finanzinvestoren.

CMS

CMS primarily assists clients from the telecoms, media and communications sector, offering comprehensive advice on proceedings, structurings, management, contracts as well as access and service agreements. The key contacts Jens Neitzel and Ralf Dierck are well versed in supporting corporate transactions as well as regulatory issues. The team also represents clients in contentious proceedings before the courts and authorities such as the Federal Network Agency, the Federal Cartel Office and the European Commission. Thanks to the firm’s international network and the interdisciplinary approach, the team also covers cross-border matters.

Other key lawyers:

Jens Neitzel; Ralf Dierck


Key clients

WEMAG AG


Telefónica


Vodafone


AVACOMM Systems


EWE Tel


Voximplant


Comcross


Bechtle


Work highlights


  • Advising a consortium of regional energy suppliers on their participation in the 450connect GmbH joint venture.

  • Representation of Vodafone Germany in the successful continuation of the second appeal procedure against Telekom Deutschland GmbH (TDG) for fraudulent excessive charges for the use of cable duct systems.

Hengeler Mueller

Hengeler Mueller offers comprehensive expertise in telecommunications law and the industry’s regulatory requirements as well as the close cooperation with the firm’s media practice, which recently led to an increased case load in matters pertaining to 5G frequency allocation. The team assists with contract drafting such as roaming and frequency licensing agreements, with further competencies in broadband and fibre optic matters. This is complemented by regular cross-practice cooperations with the infrastructure and antitrust experts. Sarah Milde made partner in January 2022, she is experienced in antitrust law.

Jones Day

Jones Day fields renowned telecommunications law expert Holger Neumann, who, in addition to regulatory advice, also acts for telecommunications companies in proceedings before the Federal Network Agency and in court proceedings. The representation of Google in model proceedings pertaining to the regulation of over-the-top services, which was successfully concluded in 2020, deserves special mention. Recent matters include the Internet of Things, regulatory issues in connection with drones and projects in the connected driving segment. In addition, the practice covers frequency allocation, compliance and data protection issues as well as the interface competencies antitrust, orbital and administrative law.

Practice head(s):

Holger Neumann


Other key lawyers:

Bijan Tavakoli; Martin Wortmann


Testimonials

‘Holger Neumann has known the market for many years and has very good contacts in the Federal Network Agency. With his level-headed demeanor, he manages to keep a cool head for a sensible compromise, even in heated debates.’

Key clients

Five9®


Vantage Towers AB


Kyndryl


Inmarsat Ventures


Google


PPD, Pharmaceutical Product Development LLC


Verizon Deutschland


Work highlights


  • Successful representation of Google against the Federal Network Agency in administrative court proceedings and proceedings before the ECJ regarding Gmail’s obligation to report; Further advice and representation of Google in various regulatory issues before the Federal Network Agency.

  • Advising the operator of cell towers, Vantage Towers, which belongs to the Vodafone Group, with regard to the acceleration of the broadband expansion, in particular on measures to speed up the approval processes for cell phone towers.

  • Successful procedural and legal representation of the satellite operator Inmarsat in frequency allocation proceedings before the Federal Network Agency and in a competitor’s rescission proceedings before the administrative courts against a frequency allocation.

Pinsent Masons Rechtsanwälte Steuerberater Solicitors Partnerschaft mbB

Pinsent Masons Rechtsanwälte Steuerberater Solicitors Partnerschaft mbB acts on behalf of a versatile client portfolio that includes local authorities, service providers, municipal utilities and energy supply companies. The team focuses on advising investors and potential network operators on NGA expansion projects and the relevant development and negotiation of contracts for network construction, operation as well as access. The practice is among the most active in the German fibre optic expansion market and assists with numerous matters here. Led by Stephan Appt, the team also advises on procurement and regulatory proceedings as well as issues pertaining to smart cities, connected cars and convergent services.

Practice head(s):

Stephan Appt


Testimonials

‘Professional and experienced team.’

‘Unlike many market participants, the team also supports smaller network operators in disputes against the “big ones” and therefore represents a serious alternative in a market characterized by (possible) conflicts of interest.’

‘Mr. Salevic is characterized by good availability, client proximity and professional expertise. He does not limit himself to pure legal advice, but also advises on strategic considerations in dealing with competitors in the broadband market.’

Key clients

Lok-Viertel-OS GmbH


Bergische Energie und Wasser-GmbH


ContextLogic Inc.


Eigenbetrieb Stadtwerke Göppingen


Energie- und Wasserversorgung Rheine GmbH


Stadtwerke Bielefeld GmbH


Gemeinde Auenwald


moBiel GmbH


RheiNet GmbH


Stadt Winnenden


SWE Digital GmbH


Telefónica Germany GmbH & Co. OHG


Telefónica Global Services GmbH


tkrz Stadtwerke GmbH


WSW Wuppertaler Stadtwerke GmbH


Invesis Deutschland GmbH


Work highlights


  • Advice to Invesis Deutschland GmbH with regard to a possible market entry in fiber optic expansion.

  • Advising Lok-Viertel-OS GmbH on the development of a sustainable and smart city quarter with a data and computing campus as a research and start-up center for artificial intelligence.

  • Advising an energy supply company on contract negotiations regarding the fiber optic connection and smart grid capacity management for the implementation of a campus solution with several Tier IV data centers.

Dentons

Dentons ‘ team offers combined expertise in corporate/M&A, procurement law, regulatory matters as well as contract, administrative and state aid law. This full-service approach covers traditional telecommunications law issues and also includes advice to TC providers on joint ventures with companies from other sectors. Noteworty is the advice on autonomous driving, machine-to-machine communication and the Internet of Things as well as the expertise in infrastructure-related M&A transactions.

Other key lawyers:

Christian Miercke; Julia Pfeil


Testimonials

‘Very good specialist knowledge, but also very good personal cooperation with all partners and associates with whom we have had contact up to now.’

‘The focus is on the client and the solution to the problem.’

‘Cooperation across the individual departments and locations in order to provide optimal advice and still only have one (!) contact person.’

‘Dr. Christian Miercke: Very broad experience in the field of telecommunications. Well-founded specialist knowledge and excellent legal knowledge. Very fast response times and very well-founded legal assessments, even at short notice. We recommend Dr. Miercke regularly and always receive very positive feedback on the mandates taken on.’

Key clients

Deutsche Telekom AG


Vattenfall Eurofiber GmbH


Tata Communications


Intermediate Capital Group (ICG)


Infracapital Partners Fund


YPLAY Germany GmbH


EFN Eifel-Net Internet-Provider GmbH


Bundesverband Breitbandkommunikation e.V.


Stadtwerke Hürth AöR


Penta Infra


Work highlights


  • Advice on foreign trade law to Deutsche Telekom AG in the course of the acquisition of 45 million T-Mobile US shares from the Japanese conglomerate Softbank.

  • Advising a foreign robotics company on the product launch of robotic lawn mowers with the help of satellite navigation in Germany, including the examination of telecommunications legal requirements and representation before the Federal Network Agency in proceedings to clarify whether the business model is a regulated M2M/IoT business model, as well as negotiations with a mobile network operator.

  • Advice on public procurement law to Vattenfall Eurofiber GmbH on the planned broadband expansion.

Dolde Mayen & Partner

Dolde Mayen & Partner is renowned for its regulatory expertise and advises numerous clients from the telecoms sector, including Deutsche Telekom AG, which it also represents before the Federal Network Agency, administrative courts and civil courts. Regulatory and antitrust expert Thomas Mayen heads the team, which also includes Christian Stelter, who is well versed in IT and data protection, and Barbara Stamm, who is experienced in public commercial law. In September 2021, Frank Hölscher (regulatory, antitrust and telecommunications law) joined Noerr as of counsel.

Practice head(s):

Thomas Mayen


Other key lawyers:

Barbara Stamm; Christian Stelter


Testimonials

‘Very competent in telecommunications and administrative law.’

Key clients

Deutsche Telekom AG


Telekom Deutschland GmbH


GvW Graf von Westphalen

GvW Graf von Westphalen advises on traditional telecommunications law and represents clients in connection with regulatory issues at national and European level. Recent growth areas include the advice on space and satellite law, here, the team added an international corporation to its client roster in connection with a satellite communications project. Practice head Grace Nacimiento is particularly experienced in issues pertaining to the allocation and use of frequency and number resources for digital business models. In July 2021, the team’s interface competencies in data protection, digitisation and IT were strengthened with the additions of Axel von Walter and Gudrun Hausner, formerly at ADVANT Beiten.

Practice head(s):

Grace Nacimiento


Other key lawyers:

Axel von Walter; Gudrun Hausner


Testimonials

‘Dr. Grace Nacimiento: Excellent expertise, very good cooperation.’

Key clients

1 & 1 Telecom GmbH


Jefferies International Limited


Transatel SAS


Greenberg Traurig Germany

Greenberg Traurig Germany is experienced in assisting with the development and implementation of business models pertaining to broadband and multimedia supply, with a recent focus on the expansion of fibre optic networks. Clients can draw on the expertise in telecommunications, media and antitrust law as well as the cooperation with other sector groups. Practice head Christoph Enaux‘ expertise in advising real estate clients on telecommunications and media supply is particularly noteworthy.

Practice head(s):

Christoph Enaux


Other key lawyers:

Laura Zentner


Testimonials

‘The telecommunications team at GT is very well positioned in all areas of telecommunications. The cooperation with other departments (e.g. antitrust or public procurement law) is excellent.’

‘Until now, each of our inquiries could be answered promptly and competently – even outside of the area “telecommunications”.

‘With Dr Christoph Enaux Greenberg Traurig has a know-how carrier in the field of telecommunications that is second to none. Whether it’s the Telecommunications Modernization Act (TKMoG) or helping to shape new business models for fiber optic expansion and operation – the legal support/contract drafting and information is always comprehensive and extremely helpful!’

Key clients

bauverein AG


Degewo Netzwerk


Deutsche Wohnen


Foxxum


GdW (Gesamtverband der Wohnungswirtschaft)


Gewobag


Immomedianet


LEG Immobilien


Morgan Stanley Infrastructure Partners


Tata Communications


Vattenfall Eurofiber GmbH


Vivawest


Vonovia


Work highlights


  • Successful defense of Vivawest, Germany’s third-largest housing company, against a lawsuit brought by the central competition office regarding the conditions for the provision of a cable TV connection as part of the rental agreement.

  • Advising GEWOBAG on a tendering process for the construction of a fibre-optic telecommunications network as well as the multimedia and broadband supply to more than 60,000 apartments.

  • Representation of Immomedianet in a dispute resolution procedure about the joint use and the commercial contractual conditions of telecommunications networks before the Federal Network Agency and in subsequent lawsuits before the Hamburg Administrative Court.

Loschelder

Loschelder ‘s regulated markets team covers various sectors and advises on public and civil law issues pertaining to the media, energy, postal and rail transport sectors. Additionally, broadcasters, internet providers as well as fixed and mobile network providers are advised on network access and tariffs as well as antitrust law matters. The team also represents clients before the regulatory authorities and courts, with practice head Raimund Schütz being particularly well versed in litigation. In cooperation with other areas, the Loschelder Digitisation Taskforce was founded in 2019 and offers expertise in relevant matters such as the development of digital platforms.

Practice head(s):

Raimund Schütz


Other key lawyers:

Kristina Schreiber


Testimonials

‘The team has excellent technical expertise and also impresses with a very high degree of commitment and punctuality. Communication is always at eye level.’

‘Kristina Schreiber is very goal-oriented and client-oriented. She has excellent specialist knowledge, is always excellently prepared and very good at negotiating. She takes on the client’s perspective and always achieves very good solutions.’

Key clients

QVC Handel S.à.r.l. & Co. KG


1&1 Versatel Deutschland AG; BT (Germany) GmbH & Co. oHG; Colt Technology Services GmbH; ecotel communication ag; EWE TEL GmbH; HL komm Telekommunikations GmbH; Plusnet GmbH; Vodafone GmbH (VATM)


EWE TEL GmbH


Vodafone


ecotel communication ag


Orange Business Services GmbH


Innofactory GmbH


Work highlights


  • Advising and representing 1&1 Versatel Deutschland AG; BT (Germany) GmbH & Co. oHG; Colt Technology Services GmbH; ecotel communication ag; EWE TEL GmbH; HL come telecommunications GmbH; Plusnet GmbH and Vodafone GmbH (VATM) in central regulatory proceedings before the Federal Network Agency regarding wholesale products from Telekom Deutschland GmbH (TDG) in the leased line market.

Luther Rechtsanwaltsgesellschaft mbH

Luther Rechtsanwaltsgesellschaft mbH demonstrates particular strength in advising on the infrastructure expansion of districts, cities and housing associations and is frequently instructed in connection with network expansions for local authorities and broadband projects as well as matters pertaining to 5G expansion. A recent highlight mandate was advising a joint venture on employment, data protection and media law in connection with a large-scale fibre optic expansion project. Wulff-Axel Schmidt heads the team, which, in addition to regulatory issues, also advises on over-the-top services, the drafting and negotiation of contracts as well as procurement law issues related to broadband expansion. The arrival of Tobias Osseforth (formerly at LUTZ | ABEL RECHTSANWALTS PARTG MBB ) in January 2022 strengthened the capacities at the procurement law interface.

Practice head(s):

Wulff-Axel Schmidt


Testimonials

‘Knows telecommunications law very well.’

‘Dr. Michael Rath is one of the TC experts on the German market.’

Key clients

Deutsche Telekom AG


Telefonica S.A


NetCologne Gesellschaft für Telekommunikation mbH


Landkreis Nordsachen


Landkreis Mittelsachsen


Stadt Chemnitz


Unsere Grüne Glasfaser GmbH & Co. KG


VXFIBER GmbH


Greenfiber Netz & Management GmbH


Work highlights


  • Advice on corporate law and contract law to Unsere Grüne Glasfaser GmbH & Co. KG (UGG), a joint venture between Telefónica and Allianz Capital Partners, on fiber optic expansion with a volume of several billion euros and thus one of the largest greenfield infrastructure projects in Germany.

  • Comprehensive advice to Deutsche Telekom AG on telecommunications and IT law, including on major strategic and international projects such as smart home control and mobile device management projects at various corporations.

  • Advising VXFIBER GmbH on setting up the broadband business, especially on drafting contracts.

McDermott Will & Emery Rechtsanwälte Steuerberater LLP

McDermott Will & Emery Rechtsanwälte Steuerberater LLP combines expertise in IT, media, the telecoms industry and data protection and advises well-known international corporations and medium-sized companies on transactions and projects, compliance issues, Industry 4.0 and the Internet of Things. This advisory offer is complemented by cross-border capabilities thanks to its global network. Since the departure of Ralf Weisser in early 2023 Wolfgang von Frentz solely heads the practice, which also includes litigator Christian Masch.

Practice head(s):

Wolfgang von Frentz


Other key lawyers:

Claus Färber; Christian Masch


Key clients

Arolsen Archives


Borgers SE & Co. KGaA


Cataneo GmbH


Constantin Medien AG


Corint Media


Deutsche Telekom AG


Diebold Nixdorf Technology GmbH


Hospitality Digital (HD)


Intersnack Group GmbH & Co. KG


IP Deutschland / RTL interactive


Orion Engineered Carbons GmbH


ProSiebenSat1 Media SE


RTL Television


Telefónica Germany GmbH & Co. OHG


Telekonnekt GmbH


Raue

Raue frequently acts in close cooperation with foreign firms and assists with new business models, broadband expansion in the EU and fee regulation matters. Practice head Kornelius Kleinlein is a key contact for the latter. The team also represents telecommunications companies before the Federal Network Agency and in regulatory audits, civil court proceedings in connection with fee issues as well as antitrust infringement proceedings. Other core areas include satellite communications and broadcasting.

Practice head(s):

Kornelius Kleinlein


Other key lawyers:

Daniel Schubert; Michael Bergmann


Key clients

HD Plus GmbH


DIVICON MEDIA HOLDING GmbH


Schalast Law | Tax

Schalast Law | Tax is well versed in the telecoms and cable sector and advises on regulatory, data protection and antitrust law, including clients’ representation before the Federal Network Agency in fee licensing, abuse, network access and interconnection proceedings. The advice on outsourcing, joint venture-related contracts and compliance audits complements this offer. Thanks to the Multilaw network, cross-border matters are also covered by the team, which is led by Ernst Georg Berger.

Practice head(s):

Ernst Georg Berger


Key clients

BT (Germany) GmbH & Co. OHG


Glasfaser Direkt GmbH


HFO Holding AG


Telego GmbH


Work highlights


  • Comprehensive advice to Glasfaser Direkt on regulatory, civil and M&A matters.

  • Ongoing advice to the German subsidiary of British Telecommunications, BT (Germany) GmbH & Co. OHG, on regulatory issues.

White & Case LLP

White & Case LLP advises on traditional contractual and regulatory issues pertaining to telecommunications law, while the team is also increasingly active in advising platforms, messenger service providers and social network clients. The client base includes a well-known automotive manufacturer, which the practice assists in the connected cars arena, and investors, which are advised on fibre optic investments, data centers and cloud structures. Growth areas include transactions in connection with infrastructure, radio connections, television towers and mobile sites. The team is headed by Norbert Wimmer.

Practice head(s):

Norbert Wimmer


Other key lawyers:

Martin Munz; Sylvia Lorenz


Key clients

MEAG und Gruppe institutioneller Investoren – FTTH Projekte Axione Infrastructures


Meta


Colt Technology Services


Lime Technologies AB


Basalt