The Legal 500

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer enjoys ‘an exceptionally strong market position’, and features ‘two outstanding individuals’ in Thomas Tschentscher and Norbert Nolte, who handle ‘extremely prominent transactions’. This broad-based practice excels at contractual work, transactions and regulatory advice. Highlights included advising Deutsche Telekom on its €400m purchase of an additional 10% stake in Hellenic Telecom, Liberty Global on its €3.16bn acquisition of Kabel Baden-Württemberg, and Telefónica regarding the recall of UMTS licences and attendant refunds totalling €8.5bn.

B.B.O.R.S Kreuznacht Rechtsanwälte provides regulatory and contractual advice, and has in-depth expertise in all matters pertaining to fixed line networks, where Telefónica is a core client. The team also represents energy suppliers, and recently advised a public utility company on telecoms cable routing matters. Tele 2 is another client. Peter Rädler is ‘superb’.

Baker & McKenzie’s broad practice is led by regulatory expert Joachim Scherer. Longstanding clients include E-plus and Federal Network Agency, and the team recently advised the latter regarding the revocation of UMTS frequencies that had been assigned to Quam. It also acted for the Serbian government on the partial privatisation of Telecom Srbija.

Juconomy Rechtsanwälte is a telecoms boutique that is noted for the ‘high availability of partners’ and its ‘excellent industry knowledge’. In particular, Marc Schütze and Peter Schmitz are ‘efficient, pragmatic and solutions-driven’. The team represented 01051 Telecom in proceedings concerning mobile communication termination fees, advised Drillisch regarding EU data roaming regulations, and assisted NetCologne with the rollout of a fibre optic network. Lycatel is a new client.

Bird & Bird increasingly advises IT clients on related telecoms matters, with one example being its advice to Google on regulatory framework conditions for the introduction of Google Voice in Germany. It advises 1&1 Internet on telecoms wholesale and supplier agreements, and ACN on range of telecoms laws and regulations including consumer protection laws. Sven-Erik Heun heads the practice.

CMS Hasche Sigle’s longstanding clients include Telefónica, which the team recently advised on the procedures to award frequencies in the ranges 800MHz, 1.8GHz, 2.0GHz and 2.6GHz, as well as on restructuring and data protection matters. The group also advised Siemens Enterprise Communications on sub-contractor and service agreements, Lloyds Development Capital on its acquisition of easynet, and new client Solaris Mobile on the use of frequencies for satellite-based services. Jens Neitzel is well regarded.

Dolde Mayen & Partner is a leading regulatory practice in the fields of mobile and fixed line networks, and marquee clients such as Deutsche Telekom trust Thomas Mayen and Frank Hölscher’s team in complex contentious matters. T-Mobile Deutschland is also a client.

Hengeler Mueller gives ‘outstanding’ advice and is extremely strong on the transactional side. It recently represented longstanding client Kabel Deutschland against VG Media in proceedings relating to cable network operators’ liability to radio and TV broadcasters. Other highlights were advising EQT on its sale of Kabel BW, freenet on the sale of its value-added services business, and Jesta on its acquisition of Fox Mobile Group. Wolfgang Spoerr and Albrecht Conrad are the key figures.

Taylor Wessing’s strengths lie in transactions and contractual matters. The team recently acted for the Federal Ministry of the Interior on the procurement of the uniform call number 115, and advised ED-Connect on the introduction of a directory service for mobile phone numbers. Detlef Klett is recommended.

White & Case LLP’s team, which includes the ‘superb’ Norbert Wimmer, has substantial expertise concerning cable networks, leveraging the firm’s wider media and IT expertise. It acted for Berlin-Brandenburg State Media Authority (mabb) in a dispute with a radio station about licence tendering and is advising the Federal Ministry of the Interior and the Federal Authority for the Digital Security Radio on implementation of a digital voice and data communication system nationwide.

Tobias Bosch leads K&L Gates LLP’s small and dynamic practice, which recently advised Vodafone D2 on fee regulations, in particular interconnection access and configuration fees, and Global Crossing on network and customer agreements and regulatory matters. It also advises on data protection and IT-related matters.

McDermott Will & Emery Rechtsanwälte Steuerberater LLP has media-related telecoms experience, such as representing ProSieben Group in arbitration regarding cable-transmission agreements with various network operators. The practice advises Deutsche Telekom on an ongoing basis regarding contractual aspects of its various projects. Ralf Weisser and Wolfgang von Frentz are recommended.

Noerr’s lawyers are ‘true business partners in developing creative legal strategies’, and the team has notable expertise on the regulatory front and can also draw on the firm’s media expertise. The group advised SES Astra on its HD+ project, and other clients include The Phone House Telecom and Axel Springer Digital TV Guide. Practice head Tobias Frevert is ‘a very strong negotiator’.