Network Sharing and Co-Location
Network sharing and co-location arrangements are now central to the deployment and operation of modern telecoms networks. As mobile and fixed operators expand coverage, increase capacity, densify 5G and integrate edge infrastructure, sharing physical sites, ducts, masts, power and active network elements has become essential to controlling cost, accelerating roll-out and meeting regulatory expectations.
These arrangements require careful management of technical, commercial, operational and regulatory risks. Issues include access to sites and masts, governance of shared assets, allocation of costs and build responsibilities, service levels, upgrade and modernisation rights, competition-law constraints, and long-term operational and security obligations.
Bratby Law advises operators, neutral-host providers, infrastructure companies and investors on all forms of network sharing, co-location and site-access arrangements. Our advice brings together commercial contracting, regulatory expertise and practical understanding of network deployment and operations.
Our experience
We have advised on network-sharing and co-location arrangements across mobile, fixed and data-centre environments for more than twenty-five years, including:
- Active RAN-sharing between national MNOs (MORAN, MOCN and hybrid models)
- Passive sharing of masts, towers, ducts, poles, street furniture and rooftop sites
- Neutral-host 4G/5G deployments and indoor-coverage solutions
- Small-cell densification and shared access to fibre backhaul
- Co-location and space/power arrangements in data centres and edge sites
- Joint-venture structures for shared infrastructure and build-out programmes
- Competition-law and non-discrimination compliance in network-sharing contexts
- Governance frameworks, escalation paths and long-term operational arrangements
This blend of regulatory, commercial and deployment experience enables Bratby Law to support clients through all stages of network-sharing projects.
Key issues for clients
- Selecting the appropriate model (passive sharing, MORAN, MOCN, neutral-host, JV)
- Ensuring competition-law compliance while maximising deployment efficiency
- Obtaining and maintaining site rights, power and access
- Designing governance structures, cost-sharing mechanisms and decision-making rights
- Managing build, upgrade, expansion and modernisation programmes
- Ensuring access to backhaul and core-network integration where relevant
- Allocating operational responsibilities, SLAs, maintenance and fault-repair duties
- Ensuring security compliance under the UK telecoms security regime
- Managing non-discrimination and equivalence obligations where wholesale services are offered
- Planning for exit, de-integration, migration and disentanglement
How we help
Structuring Network-Sharing & Co-location Agreements
We draft and negotiate passive and active network-sharing arrangements, including mast, rooftop, duct and pole access, MORAN/MOCN RAN-sharing, small-cell deployments and neutral-host frameworks. Our work ensures the sharing model is technically viable, commercially balanced and fully compliant with regulatory and competition-law requirements.
Governance, Operations & Upgrade Management
We design operational and governance structures for long-term sharing relationships. This covers build and upgrade planning, cost-allocation, decision-making processes, maintenance and repair responsibilities, SLAs, escalation paths and integration with backhaul and core-network requirements. We ensure both operators’ deployment and evolution plans are supported.
Regulatory, Competition & Security Compliance
We advise on the regulatory and legal obligations that apply to shared infrastructure: General Conditions, Electronic Communications Code rights, competition-law safeguards, spectrum compliance and the UK telecoms security regime. We help clients manage supply-chain assurance, resilience planning, security controls and incident-response requirements across shared networks.
Network-sharing and co-location documentation
We advise on the full suite of documents required for network-sharing and co-location projects, including:
- Mast, rooftop, site-access and power-supply agreements
- Passive-infrastructure access agreements (ducts, poles, towers, street furniture)
- RAN-sharing agreements (MORAN/MOCN/hybrid) and supporting schedules
- Neutral-host and indoor-coverage frameworks
- Small-cell deployment agreements
- Backhaul and transmission-access agreements
- Joint-venture and infrastructure-sharing frameworks
- SLA and service-credit regimes
- Governance and budget-management procedures
- Security, resilience and incident-management protocols
- Exit, de-integration and re-versioning plans
Regulatory and legal considerations
Network sharing engages a wide range of regulatory and competition-law issues. We provide guidance on:
- General Conditions of Entitlement applicable to access, interconnection and security
- Electronic Communications Code rights for site access and renewals
- Non-discrimination and competition-law safeguards in shared-network environments
- Spectrum licensing and compliance (particularly for active sharing models)
- Telecoms security obligations and supply-chain assurance
- Planning and permitting requirements for mast and rooftop deployments
Security, resilience and operational governance
We help clients ensure shared infrastructure meets national security and resilience standards, including:
- Supply-chain security and approved-vendor requirements
- Shared-site security processes and operational controls
- Resilience, redundancy and failover planning
- Incident-response coordination across sharing parties
- Compliance with the UK Telecoms Security Act and related regulations
How we work
Clients work with Bratby Law in three ways: direct matter-specific advice, specialist co-counsel support, and longer-term fractional general counsel engagements. Each model is structured to deliver senior, technically informed guidance aligned to commercial, operational and regulatory priorities.
Independent directory rankings
Our specialist expertise is recognised in major independent legal directories:
- Chambers & Partners: Rob Bratby is ranked in the UK Guide 2026 in the “Telecommunications” category: Chambers
- The Legal 500: Rob Bratby is listed as a “Leading Partner – Telecoms” in London (TMT – IT & Telecoms): The Legal 500
- Lexology: Rob Bratby is featured on Lexology’s expert profiles (Global Elite Thought Leader): Lexology
What clients say
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Need support with network sharing or co-location?
What models of network sharing are available?
Common models include passive sharing (sites, masts, ducts), MORAN (active radio access sharing), MOCN (shared spectrum and RAN), and neutral-host frameworks.
Does network sharing create competition-law risk?
Yes. Sharing must be carefully structured to avoid anti-competitive coordination, protect pricing independence and maintain compliance with competition-law guidelines.
What regulatory obligations apply to shared sites?
Operators must comply with the General Conditions of Entitlement, Electronic Communications Code rights, spectrum rules, site-access laws, switching and security obligations.
Do network-sharing arrangements trigger security requirements?
Yes. Shared infrastructure must meet Telecoms Security Act requirements, including supply-chain controls, monitoring, resilience and incident reporting.
Can network-sharing agreements cover both passive and active elements?
Yes. Many modern arrangements combine passive access (towers, rooftops, duct) with active elements (RAN-sharing, small-cell integration, neutral-host systems).
How can Bratby Law help?
We draft and negotiate sharing frameworks, ensure compliance with regulatory and competition rules, support governance and operational integration, and address long-term upgrade and security requirements.
Network Sharing and Co-Location