Technology and telecoms transactions

Transactions

Contracts and commercial agreements across telecoms, data and payments

Technology, connectivity and digital infrastructure projects succeed only when the legal, regulatory and commercial elements align. Clients operating in communications, payments, cloud, SaaS, data-driven technologies and infrastructure markets face a set of issues that general commercial contracting does not capture: regulatory perimeter questions, security obligations, commercial interoperability, interconnection, jurisdictional restrictions, operational risk allocation and the treatment of data.

bratby.law advises on the full range of transactions, combining sector-specific regulatory insight with experience across network, cloud, payments infrastructure and technology projects. Transactional risk in this sector is rarely abstract: it arises from the physical and logical layers of networks, commercial incentives, regulatory obligations and the operational realities of carriers, platforms and cloud providers.

The firm brings an end-to-end perspective shaped by regulatory experience at Oftel, senior in-house roles within telecoms operators and partner-level advisory work on major transactions and infrastructure projects. This enables clients to progress negotiations with clarity, anticipate regulatory constraints and secure agreements that reflect commercial realities.

Clients instruct us on transactions ranging from wholesale network access and MVNO agreements to subsea infrastructure, SaaS licensing, data commercialisation, digital infrastructure projects, joint ventures and M&A. The focus is consistent throughout: accurate risk analysis, technically informed drafting and commercially workable outcomes.

What clients ask

  • How do regulatory obligations shape transaction structure and drafting?
  • What are the operational and technical risks that need allocation?
  • How do security, resilience and data governance rules affect commercial terms?
  • How do we structure network-sharing, interconnection or wholesale access arrangements?
  • How do we manage cross-border infrastructure and regulatory risk?
  • What is market standard for liability, service levels, data treatment and exit?

How we help

Structuring

Deal structuring for telecoms, cloud, digital infrastructure and technology transactions, aligning commercial outcomes with regulatory and operational constraints.

Negotiation and drafting

Drafting, negotiating and revising complex commercial and infrastructure agreements, including wholesale access, network-sharing, MVNO/MVNE, cloud and SaaS, data commercialisation and digital infrastructure documentation.

Regulatory and risk input

Clear guidance on how Ofcom, ICO and other regulatory rules, security obligations, data protection governance requirements and cross-border regulatory frameworks influence contractual positions, liabilities and service commitments.

Strategic transactional support

Support for M&A, joint ventures, strategic partnerships and infrastructure projects requiring sector-specific insight, stakeholder alignment and interaction with regulators.

Our experience

The firm has advised on major telecoms, digital infrastructure and technology transactions for more than three decades, including wholesale access arrangements, interconnection and network-sharing agreements, international infrastructure projects, SaaS and cloud contracting frameworks, data commercialisation structures, digital infrastructure builds and cross-border M&A.

Experience includes operator-side negotiations, regulatory engagement, industry-wide infrastructure programmes and major cross-jurisdictional contracting mandates.

Our expertise

Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A)

Acquiring or disposing of a business demands clear strategy, sector familiarity and disciplined execution. We advise buyers, sellers and investors on M&A transactions across the telecoms, technology, data protection sectors. Our work focuses on value protection, risk allocation and ensuring that negotiations progress efficiently to a clean and certain completion.

SaaS and Cloud Services

High-growth technology businesses need contracts that scale reliably. We draft, negotiate and refine SaaS, PaaS and IaaS agreements so that revenue, onboarding and operational processes support long-term growth. Our work ensures your commercial terms are robust, investor-ready and aligned with regulatory and security expectations.

Private equity

We represent investors and founders on equity, debt and hybrid structures, particularly where IP, data or regulated assets underpin enterprise value. We identify legal and regulatory risks early, support commercial negotiations and focus on delivering capital certainty and long-term investor confidence.

Subsea cables

We have advised on subsea cable projects since liberalisation of the global telecommunications market. Our work spans build, financing, landing and divestment transactions worldwide. We bring a detailed understanding of how technical, commercial and regulatory components interact to shape viable digital infrastructure projects.


MVNOs and MVNEs

Launching or operating as an MVNO requires careful negotiation of wholesale, technical and commercial arrangements. We advise MVNOs and MVNEs on their contractual frameworks and helped draft the precedent wholesale agreements used by UK mobile operators. Our focus is on enabling sustainable, compliant and commercially resilient mobile propositions.


Interconnection, peering and access agreements

Interconnection, peering and access agreements remain fundamental to network performance and market competition. We advise on the full range of regulated and commercial arrangements, from mandated interconnection with incumbents to commercial peering and transit agreements. Our approach balances regulatory obligations with commercial flexibility and operational efficiency.

Data commercialisation and licensing

Data is a strategic asset that drives commercial advantage and innovation. We help clients acquire, license and commercialise data responsibly, aligning commercial objectives with UK, EU and international regulatory requirements. Our work ensures that data assets create value while maintaining compliance and protecting long-term rights.

Network sharing and co-location agreements

Sharing infrastructure can reduce capital intensity and accelerate deployment. We advise on active and passive network sharing, co-location arrangements and site access agreements. Having acted on the first active RAN-sharing transaction in the UK, we understand both the commercial objectives and the regulatory landscape that shape these deals.

Digital Infrastructure Projects

We support the lifecycle of digital infrastructure deployments, from procurement and contracting through to delivery and ongoing operation. Our experience includes data centre builds, fibre networks and hyperscale deployments. We work with technical and commercial teams to ensure that contract structures support innovation, resilience and long-term value creation.

Executing Complex Transactions

We support the execution of complex transactions by operating as an integrated part of your in-house or project team. Whether the matter involves digital infrastructure, SaaS, MVNO arrangements, network-sharing, data licensing or cross-border telecoms commercial contracting, we bring sector-specific experience that accelerates progress and reduces risk.

Our approach prioritises clarity, accountability and speed. We deploy structured project plans, early legal and regulatory issue-spotting, and disciplined workstreams to ensure negotiations move efficiently towards completion. Consistent communication keeps decision-makers aligned and ensures that commercial, technical and regulatory considerations remain fully integrated.

Where specialist expertise is required, we work seamlessly with local counsel, financial advisers, technical consultants and other stakeholders to deliver transactions. This coordinated model maintains momentum, safeguards your negotiating position and supports a smooth, confident path to closing.

An end-to-end regulatory perspective

Rob Bratby’s experience spans three perspectives that are seldom combined in a single advisor:

The Regulator’s Perspective

Work at Oftel, the predecessor to Ofcom, provides first-hand experience of how UK communications regulation is developed, interpreted and enforced. This includes leadership of the project to liberalise the UK’s international telecoms infrastructure market (subsea cables and satellite), and a detailed understanding of regulatory intent and enforcement dynamics.

The Operator’s Perspective

Senior in-house roles at COLT and embedded general-counsel roles within operator-side businesses provide practical insight into how networks are built, where risks arise, how compliance is operationalised and how commercial and regulatory decisions are made inside carriers and infrastructure operators.

The Advisor’s Perspective

Senior partnership roles at international law firms and current fractional General Counsel appointment at TOTSCo and UK Payments Initiative Limited provide a working understanding of how legal advice translates into commercial and regulatory decisions at board level.


This combination enables advice that is legally rigorous, commercially aligned and technically grounded.

Why a specialist boutique?


bratby.law is structured to provide a clear alternative to broad practices and City or international law firms:

Boutique approach

City firm

Specialist, sector-specific focus

Broad TMT or FS coverage with variable depth

Senior delivery on all matters

Work delegated to teams of varying experience

Integrated regulatory, operator and advisory experience

Limited practical or regulatory grounding

Predictable, flexible engagement models

Rigid, process-driven structures


As a boutique, bratby.law provides specialist regulatory depth, partner-level delivery and commercially aligned advice shaped by practical operator-side experience. Engagement models are flexible and predictable, including direct instruction, specialist co-counsel and fractional general counsel support.

Also see

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
Chambers and partners accreditation
Legal 500 accreditation

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What clients say about bratby.law

  • “…one of those rare lawyers who really does understand the business imperatives behind the legal situations businesses find themselves in.”

    “I worked with Rob over many years whilst I was at Orange. He is one of those rare lawyers who really does understand the business imperatives behind the legal situations businesses find themselves in. Most notably he provided first class support to me and my team on a high profile / high value joint venture network sharing deal. His ability to see both the detail and the bigger strategic picture were enormously helpful.”
    Amanda Doyle
    (Former) General Counsel, Orange UK

  • “I would highly recommend Rob and his team.”

    “I have had the pleasure of working with Rob now on a number of occasions and engagements with clients. Rob is one of the most knowledgeable people I have come across in the Telecommunications industry, both in his comprehensive understanding of the law for various countries and in the application of this law and what it means for Operators. This is complemented by his generosity with sharing his knowledge, and the friendly style with which he works. I would highly recommend Rob and his team.”
    Nick White
    (Former) Deloitte

  • “I would recommend Rob for any major Telecoms project”

    “I worked with Rob to introduce One Touch Switching for broadband and fixed voice, which launched successfully with almost two million customers using the service to date. Rob is a first class Legal Counsel with exceptional legal and regulatory knowledge enabling him to give insightful strategic guidance to the ExCo and the Board. He is highly trusted by Directors and easy to work with. I would recommend Rob for any major Telecoms project.”
    Toby Lovell
    (Former) Chief of Staff, The One Touch Switching Company

Frequently asked questions

What types of transactions does bratby.law advise on?

bratby.law advises on the full spectrum of transactions across telecoms, data and payments, including mergers and acquisitions, SaaS and cloud contracts, MVNO and wholesale arrangements, data licensing, digital infrastructure projects and investment transactions. Our focus is on complex commercial and regulated matters where specialist sector expertise adds measurable value.

How does bratby.law add value in complex transactions?

We combine deep industry knowledge with specialist regulatory insight across telecoms, data protection. This enables us to identify legal and regulatory risk early, structure agreements clearly and support negotiation strategies that maximise value. Our clients benefit from senior-level guidance throughout the lifecycle of transactions.

Can bratby.law support international transactions?

Yes. We regularly support clients with cross-border transactions across Europe, the Middle East and Asia. We coordinate with local counsel, manage regulatory interfaces and ensure that commercial, technical and regulatory requirements are properly aligned across jurisdictions.

What sectors does bratby.law work with?

Our clients include telecoms operators, digital infrastructure providers, payment service providers, fintechs, cloud and SaaS companies, investors, wholesale providers and technology-enabled businesses. We support organisations operating in regulated, data-intensive or high-growth markets requiring specialist advice on transactions.

What is bratby.law’s approach to deal execution?

We apply a structured, commercially-focused approach. This includes clear project plans, early issue-spotting, streamlined workstreams and consistent communication. Our priority is to align legal terms with commercial objectives so that transactions progress efficiently and with controlled risk.

How can bratby.law assist during due diligence?

We provide targeted due diligence across telecoms regulation, data protection, payments regulation, contractual frameworks, licensing, interoperability, governance and commercial risk allocation. Our due diligence supports confident investment decisions and reduces uncertainty during transactions.

How do I engage bratby.law for transaction support?

You can contact bratby.law directly through the website to arrange a consultation. We scope requirements at the outset and offer clear, predictable engagement models, including direct legal advice, specialist co-counsel and fractional general counsel support. We frequently work alongside larger law firms to provide sector-specific expertise in telecoms, data and payments transactions.

Transactions

Transactions

Contracts and commercial agreements across telecoms, data and payments