IT & Telecommunications
Global Guide 2024 : South Africa
Band 1
Email address
[email protected]Contact number
+27 11 669 9000About
Provided by Bowmans
Our specialists in technology and telecommunications law advise clients in this sector operating in or looking to enter the African market. With extensive experience of the regulatory landscape in many African jurisdictions, we assist our clients to get to market quickly while avoiding many of the pitfalls of operating in a new jurisdiction.
We advise on licensing requirements and policy and market developments in this highly regulated sector. We also assist in a wide array of corporate mergers and acquisitions and commercial agreements in the sector taking into account the applicable regulatory requirements.
The transactions on which we advise range from all forms of infrastructure sharing arrangements, to fibre optic network deployments (on an EPC, EPCM, BOT or simple design build basis), to system integration, software development, software or platform licensing, IT services (in all forms including outsourcing) to providing comprehensive advice on data protection, compliance and data breach and incident response.
In the telecommunications sphere, our close relationships with government agencies and industry regulators are a significant factor in our ability to provide exceptional advice to our telecommunications clients regarding the environments in which they operate. We have extensive experience advising on regulatory requirements, particularly in relation to licensing as well as compliance. We regularly advise the South African regulator, ICASA.
Chambers Review
Bowmans has a distinguished practice group with leading expertise across a wide range of IT and telecommunications matters. The team is widely respected for its aptitude for M&A in this sector, with significant experience advising clients on the regulatory aspects of transactions. The firm is renowned for its work with internet service providers, financial institutions and telecommunications players, with major clients drawn from across the African continent in addition to its deep client base of South African companies. It is further praised for its track record advising on the construction of data centres, transitional services and commercial arrangements, as well as integrated IT services, with notable knowledge relating to spectrum and network sharing. Bowmans is also active on mandates relating to fintech.
Work Highlights
- Bowmans advised NCR on the acquisition of Altron's ATM hardware and support business.
Notable Practitioners
Craig Kennedy heads the firm's technology, media and telecommunications practice. He is an experienced transactional lawyer, handling various corporate transactions in the space, including service agreements, commercial arrangements and acquisitions. His practice includes a focus on data centre-related mandates.
"Craig Kennedy is a very experienced and excellent lawyer who provides cutting-edge legal solutions in the telecommunications environment."
Ranked Lawyers at
Bowmans
South Africa
Clients
Provided by Bowmans
Ericsson
Independent Communications Authority of South Africa
KnowRoaming
Link Africa
Liquid Telecom
MTN
National Treasury
Neotel
SAB/SABMiller (now AB InBev)
Tata Communications
Industries
Provided by Bowmans
Commercial & Professional Services
Government
Media
Software & Computer Services
Technology, Hardware & Electronics
Telecommunications