Telecommunications, Media & Technology (TMT)

We have acted for a range of TMT players including telecommunications companies, data suppliers, software & hardware vendors, content providers, and broadcasters. 

Our TMT work has covered contractual and commercial issues, consumer protection law (sales, marketing, privacy, advertising and collateral), governance & shareholder issues, and policy. Our telecommunications-specific work has included advising on issues surrounding spectrum, interconnection, TSO, the Ultra Fast Broadband and Rural Broadband Initiatives, sub-loop unbundling, sub-loop extension, unbundled bitstream access (UBA) & unbundled copper local loop services (UCLL), initial & final pricing principles, and mobile termination rates.

We also advise on competition and regulatory issues, including access pricing, margin squeeze, on-net/off-net price differentials, bundling, and distribution.

Case Study

• Acting for 2degrees mobile on the regulation of mobile termination rates.
  Andrew Matthews led the team acting for 2degrees, first seeking regulation and then obtaining regulated rates.

  This involved working closely with the 2degrees team over a 30 month period, project managing a multi-disciplinary group, including briefing and working with a range of economists.

  Following numerous submissions (written and oral) to the regulator and Minister, 2degrees secured a significant immediate reduction of mobile termination rates.

Other experience includes:

• Preparing submissions for a major telco in relation to the final pricing principle for the UBA & UCLL, and proposals for new UBA variants.
• Advised a major telco in relation to acquisition of 700MHz (4G) spectrum.
• Advised Southern Cross Cables on a range of matters.
• Advised Intrahealth Systems on a range of matters including supply, contracting and M&A.

Recognition

Our awards include Sustained Excellence in TMT Law – New Zealand (Acquisition International, 2015) and named TMT Specialists of the Year – New Zealand (Acquisition International, 2014).  Andrew Matthews was Exclusive winner, Client Choice Award – Telecommunications Lawyer of the Year – New Zealand (International Law Office, 2013) and regularly appears in and Who’s Who Legal publications as being among the world’s leading TMT lawyers.