Telecommunication
The telecommunications and digital infrastructure sector involves complex and strategic challenges, from mergers and acquisitions to projects, financing and regulation. In response to these challenges, we provide our clients with outstanding legal support which is tailored to their specific needs, both in France and internationally.
Our Telecommunications team is one of the few teams to provide assistance on all legal, transactional and regulatory aspects of the telecommunications sector, for both private players (operators, service and equipment providers, investors, financial institutions) and public institutions (international organisations, governments and regulatory authorities) in France and internationally.
Our team advised KKR in 2018 on the acquisition of 49.99% of SFR TowerCo from Altice, valued at €3.6 billion, and its sale to Cellnex for €5.2 billion in 2021. We also advised Vivendi on the sale of SFR to Altice for €17 billion in 2014.
With our extensive sectoral expertise and our ability to leverage multidisciplinary teams, we advise our clients on major telecommunications and digital infrastructure transactions.
We also advise on the implementation of development projects, including public-private partnerships for the operation of digital infrastructure and the roll-out of networks.
In addition, we advise governments and regulatory authorities around the world on the implementation and reform of their telecommunications laws and regulations.
Areas of intervention
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We advise our clients on major telecommunications and digital infrastructure transactions, involving operators, fibre optic and mobile networks and data centres.
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We assist our clients with the structuring, negotiation and implementation of their development projects, financing, partnership agreements and sales in the telecommunications sector, including public-private partnerships (PPP) and concessions.
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We advise our clients on matters relating to licences, authorisations, frequencies, interconnections, tariffs, universal service obligations, contracts with operators, dealings with regulatory authorities, administrative and legal disputes.
Awards
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Chambers Europe - France 2024
TMT
Band 3
Gide is well versed in a range of TMT issues, including IT licence agreements, data privacy compliance, and media and entertainment mandates. The team also handles contentious cases involving advertising regulations and distribution contracts.
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Legal 500 EMEA - France 2024
Industry Focus: Telecoms
Tier 2
Gide , which is very experienced in advising on the rolling out of fibre broadband and communications networks. The group brings expertise in regulatory matters and contentious issues, and is well known for representing government bodies and private entities in mandates.
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Chambers Global - Africa-Wide 2024
TMT
Band 3
Gide is well regarded for its work across an array of transactional and regulatory matters in the TMT space, including cybersecurity, fintech and data protection matters. It has an excellent track record of acting for public authorities and government entities, in addition to corporate clients.