Our Telecoms Group focuses on the legal, regulatory and tax aspects of operating in Ireland. Clients include regulatory bodies and global multinationals as well as Irish entrepreneurial start-ups.
Incumbents and new market entrants are faced with complex legal and regulatory requirements, often stemming from European Union rules, overseen in particular by ComReg (the Commission for Communications Regulation) and the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner (the ODPC). Our lawyers advise telecoms clients on:
- Irish and EU regulatory issues (including licensing and authorisation)
- Competition law Content sourcing
- Data protection and privacy
- Network build and roll-out
- Outsourcing
- Procurement
- Consumer law
- Terms & conditions for supply of goods/services
Our team has extensive expertise with regard to licensing and authorisation and to the legal issues in network build and roll-out. We advise on communications infra-structure projects, procurement, content supply, and outsourcing arrangements. Broadcasters, cable television operators and value added service providers also call on our telecoms expertise.
Our Sectoral Regulation team has extensive experience on telecoms licensing and notification obligations, including compliance issues, consumer protection, significant market power and dealing with regulatory investigations. There is a strong cross-over with our Technology Group with regard to data protection and privacy. We also advise domestic and international service providers on regulatory practices, marketing, data retention and related obligations.
On the broader corporate and commercial fronts, we work closely with our colleagues in otherr practice groups in the Firm in order to provide clients with a full legal service around corporate work such as take-overs, mergers & acquisitions, trade sales, take privates, venture capital investments and IPOs, as well as related areas including agency and reseller agreements, non-disclosure agreements, employment and pensions and tax.
Our experience includes advising/acting for:
ComReg (the Irish Communications Regulator) in relation to a number of regulatory enforcement matters, including the first High Court proceedings before the Commercial Court seeking to enforce compliance by the telecoms incumbent eircom with obligations arising from its position of significant market power in the line rental market, and eircom’s cross-appeal.
Nortel Networks (acting for the joint administrators of its Irish subsidiary). The Nortel Group filed for bankruptcy in January 2009, with debts exceeding US$4bn.
BSkyB on a challenge by the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner that raised novel issues with regard to the duration of consents given by data subjects and interpretation of the meaning of “customer”.
Smart Telecom in its high profile dispute with Huawei Technologies over the supply of high-end IT equipment to a major Irish telephone and broadband supplier.
3Mobile/Hutchison 3G on ongoing telecommunications matters.
Kilsaran on its investment in Imagine Broadband, a pan-European communications provider.
Telefonica SA on tax matters.
Tata Communications on tax matters.
We are consistently ranked as one of the leading Telecoms law firms in Ireland.
Department
William Fry’s experienced team is ‘affable and insightful’.
Legal 500 EMEA, 2012 - TMT
'William Fry's core philosophy is understanding its client's business. The team is proactive, always operating in a broader context and never focusing on a specific issue.'
Chambers Europe, 2011 - TMT
The firm has strong corporate TMT experience, with clients saying the team 'always delivers'.
Legal 500 EMEA, 2010 – TMT
‘William Fry gets stuck into the technical and commercial aspects of telecommunications, and never gives you legal advice in a vacuum,’ say clients.
Chambers Europe, 2010 - Telecommunications
IT is also an active area for the firm and it continues to advise the Railway Procurement Agency on Ireland's new Integrated Ticketing System and other notable clients include Yahoo! and Nintendo.
Legal 500 EMEA, 2009 – TMT
This firm's sound reputation in competition law continues to attract big-name clients from the telecoms sector.Chambers Europe, 2009 – Telecommunications
Team
Myra Garrett
Managing Partner Myra Garrett is praised as ‘exceptional’ for her ‘excellent understanding of the industry’.
Legal 500 EMEA, 2010 – TMT
David Cullen
David Cullen is ‘one of the best in the business’.
Legal 500 EMEA, 2012 - TMT
David Cullen is an ‘outstanding lawyer’.
Legal 500 EMEA, 2011 - TMT
Sources report that David Cullen 'takes in the bigger picture and advises in a commercial, solution-focused context'.
Chambers Europe, 2011 - TMT
IT and telecoms head David Cullen is considered ‘outstanding’.
Legal 500 EMEA, 2010 – TMT
Ken Casey
Ken Casey is praised as ‘quietly confident, and client orientated’.
Legal 500 EMEA, 2011 - TMT
Ken Casey is recommended for his ‘client focused approach’.
Legal 500 EMEA, 2010 – TMT
John Handoll
Sources say that 'he has an incredible understanding of competition law, from both the legal and the commercial perspectives.'
Chambers Europe, 2011 - Competition/European Law
John Handoll is 'among the best competition law specialists'.
Legal 500 EMEA, 2010 – EU & Competition
Sources note that‘he has a calming influence and all-round expertise in the telecoms and competition spheres’.
Chambers Europe, 2010 - Telecommunications
John Handoll is a partner with renowned expertise in competition and regulation matters. According to sources, “he has a certain wisdom about him and we always feel safe in his hands”.
Chambers Europe, 2009 – Telecommunications
Leo Moore
Leo Moore is ‘a breath of fresh air’.
Legal 500 EMEA, 2012 - TMT
Leo Moore 'garners praise from clients for his grasp of technical issues, as well as his "efficient and responsive manner'.
Chambers Europe, 2011 - TMT