Telecommunications

Globally, we have one of the leading practices for merger and acquisition work in the area of international telecoms, particularly in the emerging and developing markets of the Middle East and Africa. We have advised on some of the largest and most complex transactions in the sector, as well as on more day-to-day bolt-on acquisitions, and across a range of sub-sectors and jurisdictions. We also have expertise in advising on strategic joint venture and partnering arrangements, telecoms privatisations and licence auctions, telecoms capital markets and the exploitation of rights.

We have extensive experience advising on sourcing and procurement transactions impacting the telecommunications market, including network sourcing and sharing deals, the outsourcing of call centres or back office functions, managed services arrangements and the management and operation of technology platforms.

In the Middle East, we have acted on groundbreaking deals including one of the world’s first nationwide deployments of mobile WiMAX technology and some of the largest financing transactions in the sector.

We have a proactive approach and sensitivity to the commercial drivers; our cross-disciplinary team draws on many years of practical and industry experience in the telecommunications sector, combined with a deep understanding of the related legal and regulatory issues, in advising on deals in the sector.

We can

• advise on mergers and acquisitions in the telecoms sector;
• support all aspects of strategic joint ventures and partnering arrangements;
• advise on network sourcing and network sharing arrangements, managed services deals and technology procurement;
• advise on telecoms financing, privatisations and licence auctions.

Clients and experience

Because we have in-depth experience of acting for the full range of parties on telecoms transactions - network operators, equipment and service providers, government entities and investors - we can offer not only the highest level of legal expertise, but real commercial know-how on market practices and approaches that help minimise risk and maximise value.

In the Middle East, we have:

• advised one of the leading regional telecoms players on various mergers, acquisitions and licence bids worldwide, including acquisitions in Pakistan and successful licence bids in Nigeria and Egypt;
• advised a Middle East operator on the outsourcing to Motorola of the design, build and operation of a wireless network in one of the world’s first nationwide deployments of mobile WiMAX technology;
• acted for the lead arrangers on various Islamic and conventional financing facilities to fund the growth of a number of regional telecoms companies;
• advised the Bahraini Government in the largest ever telecommunications transaction in the Kingdom’s history, the US$506 million acquisition of 20 per cent of the share capital of Bahrain Telecommunications Company B.S.C.(c) from Cable & Wireless plc;
• advised on licence bids and auctions for several Middle East and international telecoms operators in countries including Oman, Iran, Iraq, Yemen, Syria and many other jurisdictions in the MENA region.

Recognition

In relation to corporate and M&A work, the 2011 edition of the Legal 500 comments: “Campbell Steedman’s team is ‘very professional and offers excellent service’”.

Chambers & Partners 2011 refers to Campbell Steedman as “a top choice for clients seeking experienced counsel”.

Dino Wilkinson is named as a key individual for telecommunications in the Chambers & Partners Legal Directory 2011, which comments: “Dino Wilkinson is “hard-working, committed and client-focused,” according to sources. He earns praise for his pragmatic and solution-oriented approach.”