Telecommunications & Media is one of the solid practices of SEE Legal.

A brief summary of a selection of SEE Legal recent experience in Telecommunication & Media, listed alphabetically by jurisdiction, is as follows:

Albania

• The only law firm in Albania involved in telecommunications projects;
  
  
• Participated in the Albanian Telecommunications Regulatory Framework project as local counsel selected by the EBRD, the Ministry of Public Economy and the Privatization and Telecommunications Regulatory Entity;
  
  
• Involved in the second GSM mobile license deal with ARUP Communications;
  
  
• Advised:
  • MCI Worldcom;
  • Deutsche Telekom on VSAT and internet services;
  • ICC Albania – the pioneer in introducing
  internet services.
  
  
• Represents VODAFONE ALBANIA;
  • Works for Ericsson and Nokia, the two telecommunications suppliers operating on the Albanian market;
  
  
  
• Services local contractors of Vodafone Albania and AMC, such as:
  • Egnatia,
  • Balafas Construction,
  • Diekat, and
  • Kintec.

Bosnia and Herzegovina

• Assisted in obtaining a license for mobile telecommunications;
  
  
• Assisted in the representation of an e-mail provider regarding the distribution of domains.
  
  

Bulgaria

• Advised a consortium of KPN (The Netherlands) and OTE (Greece) on the first attempt to privatize the Bulgarian Telecommunications Company (BTC), the incumbent’s fixed operator BTC (1998-2000);
  
  
• Advised a syndicate of major international banks and financial institutions (including EBRD and Citibank, as well as a syndicate of mezzanine lenders) financing the privatization of BTC by Advent, which successfully closed in June 2004;
  
  
• Advised Vodafone and its Greek subsidiary Panafon in connection with a public tender for the second GSM license in Bulgaria (2000);
  
  
• Advised Turkcell in connection with its potential interest in participating in tenders for UMTS licenses in Bulgaria (2005);
  
  
• Acted on behalf of several international investors in the preparation for acquisition of the first Bulgarian GSM mobile telephone operator Mobiltel;
  
  
• Acted for the international shareholder in the establishment of the first national mobile operator in Bulgaria;
  
  
• Advised on the transfers of shares of Radio Telecommunications Company OOD;
  
  
• Advised on the establishment and licensing of the first private national TV channel in Bulgaria – bTV;
  
  
• Corporate secretary and outside counsel to bTV;
  
  
• Acted for several radio broadcasters, newspaper and magazine publishers in their local operations;
  
  
• Advised foreign companies in connection with their interest in the acquisition of local radio and cable TV operators;
  
  
• Advises Globul (the second GSM operator in Bulgaria) on regulatory issues;
  
  

Croatia

• Advised a successful Tenderer in privatization of the Third national TV Channel;
  
  
• Advised a potential buyer in the purchase of the biggest private TV Channel in Croatia;
  
  
• Involved in the third national mobile GSM network deal;
  
  
• Counsel to one of the biggest internet providers in Croatia.

Greece

• Represented numerous clients in the telecommunications, postal, and media sectors, as well as in industry restructuring and deregulation, convergence, universal service provisions, dealing with issues related to interconnection and broadband connections, contracting and project development, and regulatory consultation, in view of the new communications framework;
  
  
• Represented numerous clients from around the globe in regulatory issues related to the Greek Telecommunications and Postal Commission (EETT), in matters such as the:
  
  
  • granting of general authorizations and individual licenses for the installation of telecommunication networks and the rendering of relevant services, including VSAT licenses,
  • participation in public consulting and bidding procedures, and hearing of relevant complaints, and
  • participating in the first satellite project ever initiated in Greece.
  
  
  
• Clients assisted in the recent past in various projects are (by way of illustration):
  
  

FRANCE TELECOM FRANCE CABLE ET RADIO IBM TELENOR BRITISH POSTAL CONSULTING SERVICE AGB HELLAS ANTENNA MTV NETnet MCI (WORLDCOM – UUNET) DHL (HELLAS) NETCOM

DEUTSCHE POST IXNET TYCOM NETWORKS REUTERS CONVERGENCE VENTURES LIMITED BELGACOM INFONET NEC MGM MEDITERRANEAN NAUTILUS GREECE S.A. - BANK HAPOALIM VODAFONE CYTA – INFOQUEST



• Currently assist two local entities of MCI in their day-to-day management and their relationship with EETT, including regulatory filings for General Authorizations for the provision of telecommunication services;
  
  
• Provided services to the company CONVERGENCE VENTURES LTD with respect to the granting of:
  
  
  • Individual License for the establishment, operation, management and exploitation of a Satellite Network and provision of Satellite Communications Services, and
  • Individual License for the establishment, operation, and exploitation of a Telecommunication Network.
  
  
  
• Assisted the local entity (TYCOM NETWORKS) of a major telecommunication group in the granting of an Individual License for the establishment, operation, and exploitation of a Public Wired Telecommunication Network;
  
  
• Supported the Greek-based company EMI:
  
  
  • o in the procedures and negotiations with Hellenic
    State concerning the formation of an operation vehicle
    under the trade name HELLAS-SAT,
  • the execution of the agreements regarding the
    provision of an Individual License for the exploitation
    of the exclusive right of the Hellenic Republic
    to access and use the nominal orbital position 39°
    east on the orbit of the man-made geostationary
    (earth) satellites and the associated radio-frequencies
    through the construction, launching, operation and
    commercial exploitation of a private commercial
    system of satellite radio-communications of pan-Hellenic
    and trans-border range;
  
  
• Provided legal advice to CYPRUS TELECOMMUNICATION AUTHORITY (CYTA) in a proposed investment in "Q-Telecom" business of INFOQUEST S.A.:
  
  
  • Individual License for the establishment, operation and exploitation of public telecommunications network of 2nd generation's mobile communications and the provision of public mobile telecommunication services of 2nd generation;
    
    
• Assisted various telecommunication enterprises throughout the globe, including BELGACOM and INFONET Groups, in their regulatory filings for General Authorizations for the provision of telecommunication services in Greece; Provided legal services to Bank Hapoalim with respect to telecom issues related to the issuance of a syndicated loan in favor of Mediterranean Nautilus Greece S.A., holder of Individual License for the establishment, operation and exploitation of public wired telecommunication network;
  
  
• Assisted FRANCE TELECOM as a prospective strategic partner in connection with the sale by the Hellenic Republic of a minority stake affording management control over OTE, the Greek incumbent operator, within the framework of the privatization of the Greek public telephony company;
  
  
• Provided legal support to NEC for the provision of i-mode Platform Software and related services to COSMOTE (major Greek mobile telephony provider);
  
  
• Assisted a media investors company in a project related to the establishment of a local entity to operate in the new media industry in Greece by facilitating the development of telecommunications, media and internet ventures in Athens:
  
  
  • rolling-out of fibre-optic access networks direct to end-user premises throughout Athens together with the service infrastructure capable of providing both video and voice telephony, fast internet access and "on demand" media content.
  
  
  
• Provided legal support to Metro Goldwyn Mayer Inc (MGM) in regulatory broadcasting issues related to the acquisition of MGM, announced on September 23, 2004, by Providence Equity Partners IV, L.P. (Providence), TPG Partners IV, L.P. (TPG IV), DLJ Merchant Banking Partners III, L.P. (DLJ), Sony Corporation of America (SCA), and Comcast Studio Investments, Inc. (CSI), including representation before the National Council for Radio & Television
  
  
• Currently assist on regulatory issues in the acquisition by a telecommunications company of a 50 percent interest in a major satellite operator:
  
  
  • regulatory filings for Individual License (VSAT) and General Authorization before EETT.

R. Macedonia

• Registered the first mobile telecommunication operator in Macedonia Mobimak AD Skopje;
  
  
• Advised the Seller in the biggest foreign investment deal in Macedonia – the sale of Macedonian Telecom;
  
  
• Counsel to the Seller in the sale of two daily newspapers to WAZ media group;
  
  
• Outside counsel to:
  • Mobimak AD Skopje;
  • local TV and radio station;
  • weekly magazine.

Romania

• Continues to advise Microsoft with respect to E-regulations, IT and licensing regulations, providing assistance in structuring, preparing and negotiating consulting, services and license agreements;
  
  
• Continues to advise MobiFon S.A., one of the largest Romanian mobile operator, for ensuring compliance of the client with regulatory framework and requirements applicable to commercial companies acting in telecom industry;
  
  
• Acted for MobiFon SA, one of the largest mobile communications operator in Romania in connection with the financing for developing its telecommunication activity;
  
  
• Assisted various clients in the banking industry and in the distributorship businesses, in connection with electronic transactions, cross-border data transfers, security (including digital signatures/ encryption), electronic regulatory compliance issues (including data protection), domain name issues, copyright and information technology issues, online advertising;
  
  
• Acted as local counsel for Nokia with respect to E-regulation, IT and licensing regulations as well as product liability and warranty matters;
  
  
• Counseled Motorola, Inc. in the global information technology infrastructure outsourcing agreement with Computer Sciences Corporation valued at approximately EUR 1.6 billion;
  
  
• Represented the Romanian Ministry of Communications, as part of the Goldman Sachs international consortium, in the restructuring and privatization of RomTelecom R. A.;
  
  
• Acted as local counsel to Strabag AG in connection with the development of a motorway project between Bucharest and Ploiesti;
  
  
• Acted as local counsel to a consortium formed by Ashtrom International and Roichman Bros (Shomron) Infrastructures to provide assistance in connection with the implementation of the motorway project between Predeal and Brasov. The assignment comprised mainly the design and negotiation of the contractual framework based on a public private partnership;
  
  
• Assisted the financing banks of Solel Boneh International Proiect DN2D SRL (part of Solel Boneh International Holdings NV) for the contracts relating to the financing of design and construction project related to the rehabilitation an important national road (DN2D).
  
  
• Represented Iridium Communications in establishing a satellite global mobile personal communication.

Serbia & Montenegro

• Advisor to Matav in the acquisition of Telecom Crna Gora;
  
  
• Advisor to Motorola in public procurement matters regarding telecommunications infrastructure;
  
  
• Worked with Stone & Webster Consultants to draft the Telecoms Law for the Federal Ministry of Telecommunications in 2001 - advice related to all aspects of the law, licensing procedures, fixed and mobile telephony, ownership of assets and regulatory issues;
  
  
• Retained to draft the necessary legal documentation, regulations and statutes for the establishment of the Independent Telecom regulatory body in Serbia;
  
  
• Advised T-Systems, subsidiary of Deutsche Telekom, on the regulatory framework for the transmission of electronic data in Serbia and Montenegro.
  
  
• Performed Due Diligence of a Serbian mobile operator in 2003. Work included advice on Serbian telecom regulation and the full review of the target including all relevant licensing and take over structures;
  
  
• Assisted on all matters relating to the proposed acquisition of EUnet Yugoslavia, a local internet provider, by EUnet International. This involved due diligence of Eunet Yugoslavia, regulatory advice, drafting the joint venture agreement and other relevant documents, answering queries on intellectual property issues, taxation, etc;
  
  
• Advising KDS, a cable & distribution system company on all its activities in Serbia. We negotiated and drafted the Agreement concluded between KDS Ltd and international TV channels such as MTV, Fashion TV, La Guardere through Crown Media International. We advised KDS on the Network Development Agreement concluded with a number of municipalities. We advised KDS on the Telecom Agreement with Telecom Serbia authorizing the use of its installations, TT canalization and free capacities;
  
  
• Advised KDS on the acquisition of several local cable distribution system providers. Such advice has included due diligence on the companies and licenses and drafting the Share Purchase Agreements and other transaction documents;
  
  
• Advised ITX, on the legal and regulatory issues involved in creating an on-line Stock Exchange in Serbia;
  
  
• Advised FXall, on the legal and regulatory issues involved in an online currency trading in Serbia.

Turkey

• Acting on behalf of a German-based major international bank on share sale and purchase of shares of a Turkish telecom operator;
  
  
• Acted on behalf of a major Italian GSM operator in a US$ 3 billion GSM telecommunication privatization transaction, including successful tender bid for GSM 1800 license; negotiation of concession agreement with telecoms authorities, incorporation of new company, as well as negotiation and finalization of shareholders agreement and funding arrangements;
  
  
• Advising Lender in connection with its financing of USD 400,000,000 of a GSM 1800 network infrastructure project, to include expansion and operation of a nationwide GSM-based mobile cellular telecommunications network and its supporting infrastructure in Turkey, the funding of working capital requirements and financial restructuring;
  
  
• Acted for the Agent in the deal for TURKSAT-2A (also known as EURASIASAT-1) Communications Satellite System - US$150 million project financing;