Telecoms businesses operate within an environment of competition, regulation, technological advances, infrastructure investment and financial pressures. Each of these brings its own opportunities and challenges that need to be addressed. Part of this includes dealing with the aspects presented by the law.

Shepherd and Wedderburn has considerable experience in advising clients in the telecoms sector. Our expertise is built around combining an in depth understanding of the regulatory environment with the application of commercial legal solutions.

Our work in the telecoms sector calls upon resources from the firm's Property, Planning and Environmental, Media and Technology, and Competition and Regulation teams. Our experience covers a wide range of projects, for both public and private sector clients, including:

• IP network projects in Stockholm, Copenhagen, Dublin and London
• A £150 million 10 year PPP project to develop the systems and support needed for a local council to revolutionise two-way communication with residents and businesses
• Broadband infrastructure project for Scottish Enterprise
• Dedicated secure fibre project for Transport for London provided by Colt Telecom
• £2 billion reorganisation and flotation of a telecoms business
• Competition law audit for a major telecoms operator
• Regulatory audit for a major telecoms operator under EU Licensing Directive
• Supporting the establishment of an internet backbone bandwidth exchange
• As part of an extensive business separation exercise for a multinational utility, performed a review of telecoms assets and contracts to reflect the nature of the new businesses.
• Advising property development clients on telecoms infrastructure issues
• Managing legal process for competitors of our client to gain access to their mobile phone masts