Communications

Back to TMT - Technology, Media & Telecommunications

The communications sector is undergoing a fundamental and rapid evolution, with new digital companies accompanied by challenging long-standing business models, runaway technological development, convergence, disruption and significant change to the regulatory landscape. Deregulation in certain areas is going arm in arm with greater regulatory control in others, such as data breach, consumer privacy and merger.

In face of these challenges, communications businesses need to adapt, diversify into new business lines, and often to grow, whether organically or through acquisition. Additionally they need to understand and comply with the new regulatory requirements.

You need lawyers who understand your sector to tackle these challenges head-on, often on an international basis in this most international of businesses. This is where our international team of sector specialists come into play. We have over 200 experts, many with in-depth experience in the industry, across our 65 offices.

We support communications companies within all aspects of their operations, including acquisitions, data protection network sharing, pricing sales, operations, product development, regulatory compliance, licensing and distribution arrangements, and issues relating to cyber breaches and intellectual property protection.

Their geographic spread globally and in the UK is really useful and makes them quite unique.
Chambers UK, 2015

Our team frequently advises on complex or ground-breaking transactions or issues. In the past year alone, CMS has advised on M&A transactions in the sector with an aggregate value of over EUR 10bn.

Additionally, we advise mobile and fixed line operators on the complex issues around network sharing agreements, helping our clients to realise huge cost saving potential, as well as preparing their business and infrastructure for future technologies and investments.

We have advised on network sharing deals for clients in the UK, Belgium, Germany and several CEE countries, and have also advised on their feasibility in other European countries. This makes us one of the market leaders in that field.

Our dedication to achieving a commercial solution coupled with our understanding of your industry sector, means you can remain focused on your business.

Our Global Head of TMC, Chris Watson, is ranked in Band 1 in Chambers UK 2015 for Telecommunications.

07/12/2023
COP28: how the law can unite, act and deliver the UN SDGs
The law, and the work of lawyers, should enable countries, communities and companies to deliver the changes needed to achieve the UN SDGs and the Paris Agreement. As COP28 urges us to unite, act and deliver, Advocates for International Development (A
Law-Now: Communications
Visit Law-Now for legal know-how and commentary
31/05/2021
CMS Network Sharing 4.5
On the brink of a new generation

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23/11/2023
Paragraph 40(8) of the Code – the “last chance saloon” for telecoms operators?
Background The case of On Tower UK Limited v Gravesham Borough Council involved a rooftop telecoms site on an eight-story residential building. The Respondent Council was the freeholder. The equipment...
26/09/2023
Changes shortly to be made to the Electronic Communications Code
SummaryAt the end of last year, we reported on the passing of The Product Security and Tele­com­mu­nic­a­tions Infrastructure Act 2022 (the  “PSTIA”), which is intended to support the roll-out of future-proof...
19/07/2023
Concurrent leases and the Electronic Communications Code – the Court of...
SummaryThe Court of Appeal in a recent judgment has closed a serious gap in Schedule 3A of the Communications Act 2003, the Electronic Communications Code (the “Code”), which had raised legitimate...
12/06/2023
CMS updates Global Expert Guide to Digital health apps and telemedicine
Digitisation is advancing steadily. Its pioneering innovations challenge all parties involved.One of the most important aspects in this area is the huge potential that lies in the digitisation of healthcare.In...
31/03/2023
Part 2 of our 7-part series on the draft Media Bill - a revised prominence...
In this article we explore Part 2 of the draft Media Bill (“Prominence on Television Selection Services”).The current regulatory frameworkThe current so-called “prominence” framework (as set out...
28/03/2023
European Parliament and Council ready to start negotiations on EU Data...
In February 2022 the European Commission presented its proposal for the EU Data Act, which – if adopted - will introduce a far-reaching legal regime on access to and use of non-personal data in the...
20/02/2023
Sunrise period of the Unified Patent Court to begin 1 March
After the final version of the UPC Rules of Procedure had been adopted and the judges of the UPC had been selected and appointed, the start of the Sunrise Period, originally planned for 1 January 2023...
28/12/2022
FCA outlines plans for the introduction of a regulatory gateway for firms...
Following HM Treasury’s proposal to prohibit authorised firms from approving financial promotions from unauthorised persons, unless they have successfully passed through a new “regulatory gateway”...
25/11/2022
Problems with concurrent leases and the Electronic Communications Code
In August this year, the Upper Tribunal published a decision which identifies a serious gap in Schedule 3A of the Communications Act 2003 (the Electronic Communications Code) (“Code”) and raises concerns...
02/11/2022
Ofcom changes its approach to net neutrality: how the UK might spearhead...
Over the course of the last 12 months, a number of important developments in net neutrality have taken place at EU level: certain preliminary rulings resulted in the European body of telco regulator...
13/09/2022
UPC Rules of Procedure go into force with judgments to be made public
The entry into force of the Rules of Procedure is part of the final preparations for the United Patent Court (UPC), which is currently expected to start work in early 2023. After the bodies of the UPC...
12/09/2022
CMS advises Ooredoo Group on the sale of its telecom business in Myanmar...
CMS has advised Ooredoo Group, an international communications company operating across the Middle East, North Africa and Southeast Asia, on the sale of its telecom business in Myanmar to Nine Com­mu­nic­a­tions...