Practice

Telecom & Media

Tech-savvy Lawyers – Not an Urban Myth

DPC is broadly recognised as the leading TMT firm on the Bulgarian market due to our market knowledge, expertise, and sector participation. For the last 20 years our team has been at the forefront of the launching of new networks and services. We consult the successful implementation of new business models and solutions in the ever developing and converging telecom, media, and entertainment industries. DPC’s active involvement in the establishment and modernization of the communications and media legal frameworks in Bulgaria complements the teams’ exquisite know-how of the sector.

Key contacts

  • Unique regulatory expertise advising fixed, mobile and satellite operators, cable and IPTV companies, OTT service providers, media and gaming companies, smart cities and IoT projects
  • Industry specific M&A, restructuring and joint venture expertise
  • Registration and licensing of broadcasters and media service providers – VoD, video sharing platforms, etc. 
  • Spectrum auctions, transfer and lease of spectrum, numbering permissions
  • Advertising and content production contracts and regulatory advice
  • B2B and B2C contracts for electronic communications services, networks and convergent solutions
  • Development and transactions with telecom infrastructure – fiber networks (including subsea cables and in-buidling facilities), earth stations, towers and other mobile infrastructure, data centres, etc.
  • Cybersecurity
  • Regulatory disputes and litigation
DPC is "a specialised go-to firm for telecommunications matters." – Chambers

We Know Telecom & Media

The media and telecom sectors are moving quickly, and content is created and delivered instantaneously. With the spread of 5G, the backbone of economy is becoming digital, new services and business models emerge. We understand these technologies and how they foster the application of AI, IoT and blockchain. Clients rely on DPC for starting new products and projects, to assess and mitigate not only regulatory and legal, but also commercial risks.

Work highlights:
  • Advised the EUR 100+ million spin-off of the infrastructure and tower division from the electronic communications services business of the mobile operator Telenor
  • Advising the financing, installation, and operation of the first and only commercial sub-sea cable connecting Bulgaria and Georgia under the Black Sea
  • Defending the holders of the first DVB-T permissions before the Supreme Administrative Court and ensuring the timely digital switchover
  • Advising a global car production giant on the integration and implementation of mobile services, mobile apps, in-vehicle internet connectivity and e-Calls (in-vehicle emergency calls)
  • Participating in the drafting of the Electronic Communications Act
The team are "diversified, not only in expertise but also in language competencies and in their multicultural approach to handling the variety of tasks. We feel secure and relaxed when they assist us with international affairs." – Chambers

Always Thinking Ahead

Our Telecom & Media advice spans from corporate transactions to intellectual property protection, cybersecurity, regulatory and competition law compliance, consumer protection, commercial contracts, regulatory dispute resolution and litigation, drafting legislation and jurisprudence development. Our approach combines sector focus with technical excellence to provide a full-service offering that is commercial and pragmatic. Our team is acutely aware of the latest technologies and their anticipated effect on the market and enjoys solving any regulatory challenges they may pose across the different industry sectors. This mix of multidisciplinary expertise, practical experience and commercial skill ensures that clients receive the highest quality of legal service.

Work highlights
  • Advising Google and YouTube on the launch and regulatory compliance of a number of new services and features
  • Consulting Networx on all aspects of the acquisition of the boutique electronic communications networks and services provider Online Direct
  • Advising Telenor on the renewal of its spectrum permissions and the acquisition of the 5G permissions
  • Upon specific invitation from the Constitutional Court of Bulgaria presented a reasoned opinion concerning the retention of metadata and its usage in the light of the Covid–19 crisis where the Court fully agreed with and cited our submission in its final ruling
  • Broad experience in advising globally renowned corporations, incl. blue chip companies, and the biggest Bulgarian Internet service providers, content providers, web portals and intermediaries, influencers, on-line media, social networks, equipment vendors, engineering firms

Related insights

Related Publications

Areas of expertise

Innovative solutions and customer care.
Get in touch