Asialaw Profiles
The Guide to the legal markets of the Asia-Pacific

Clients laud Drew & Napier’s regional expertise in the telecommunications, media and technology space.Practice head and renowned TMT and competition director Lim Chong Kin has established a group consistently deserving of a tier one ranking, with particular ... [more]

Clients laud Drew & Napier’s regional expertise in the telecommunications, media and technology space.

Practice head and renowned TMT and competition director Lim Chong Kin has established a group consistently deserving of a tier one ranking, with particular expertise in the transactional, licensing and regulatory space.

Most notably this year, the 10 lawyer group advised regulators on a number of significant industry developments.

Perhaps the most noteworthy of these was the firm’s continuing involvement with Singapore’s telecoms regulator, the Infocomm Development Authority (IDA), on the Telecom Competition Code (TCC) and associated review of the dominant licensee’s Reference Interconnection Offer (RIO).

In the media space, Lim again played a lead role in assisting the Singapore media industry regulator, Media Development Authority of Singapore (MDA), in the implementation of a landmark decision that will see exclusive content obtained by a local Pay TV operator being mandatorily provided for cross carriage by other local Pay TV operators.

Peers are very complimentary of Lim’s hands-on approach. “He is a competent, professional and experienced legal adviser. It is not often that heads of department personally do the work for a client,” says one. “We find the second level of support at Drew is also competent and professional,” says another client. “I would rate the firm among the top.”

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Led by well respected industry veteran Rajesh Sreenivasan, Rajah & Tann’s technology and telecommunications practice has established itself as a leading player in the market.With clients ranging from state governments and statutory boards to multinationals ... [more]

Led by well respected industry veteran Rajesh Sreenivasan, Rajah & Tann’s technology and telecommunications practice has established itself as a leading player in the market.

With clients ranging from state governments and statutory boards to multinationals in the telecommunications, computer hardware and software sectors, the group has been involved in many of the largest and most complex IT and telecommunications projects of recent years.

In the telecommunications competition and regulatory space, the firm advised the ASEAN Secretariat to facilitate a pan-ASEAN forum on legislative and regulatory reforms to collectively address convergence of IT, telecoms and broadcasting across all ASEAN member countries. The team, together with competition practice head Kala Anandaraja, also helped the telecoms regulator in Brunei formulate a new telecoms licensing regime, including a regulator’s handbook, telecoms licences and a competition regime.

In telecommunications infrastructure, the firm has structured complex telecoms infrastructure procurement agreements based on traditional and PPP models.

The firm’s broad experience and in depth knowledge in terms of IT procurement has also enabled the team to help numerous state level IT organisations in Malaysia and Indonesia in drafting and negotiating complex IT procurement contracts based on shared services, outsourcing and PPP models.

Steve Tan is another key partner in the team. Peers note his extensive experience on IT projects and in media related matters including exploitation and commercialisation issues across multiple technological platforms.

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“I would recommend Allen & Gledhill LLP’s technology and corporate IP practice for its industry expertise and technical ability,” comments one client.The firm has a number of well regarded personalities on board, with practice head Tham Kok Leong recommended ... [more]

“I would recommend Allen & Gledhill LLP’s technology and corporate IP practice for its industry expertise and technical ability,” comments one client.

The firm has a number of well regarded personalities on board, with practice head Tham Kok Leong recommended for his “good understanding of the law and ability to provide practical advice” by one client. Partner Tan Wee Meng is also lauded for his talent in advising on regulatory matters.

Leveraging off the firm’s full service capabilities, the team advises on a broad range of matters including, but not limited to, licensing and industry regulation, project guidance and management, as well as logistics services, manufacturing, supply and distribution and outsourcing arrangements.

The firm’s dedicated technology, licensing and media group also assists on IT implementation, development, distribution and licensing, web and e-commerce transactions and franchising, and media and entertainment transactions, among others.

The team is also active in the telecommunications, energy, gas and petrochemical industries. Among a number of significant transactions, Kok Leong has represented Epson Singapore in the development of standard agreements for regional channel management, covering distributors, dealers and resellers for its wide range of imaging products. He also assisted Singapore University of Technology & Design in its collaboration with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

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It has been a good year for Rodyk & Davidson’s information technology, media and telecommunications groups, with the firm continuing to build up a respected expertise in resolving legal and regulatory issues in the market. This has prompted a move up ... [more]

It has been a good year for Rodyk & Davidson’s information technology, media and telecommunications groups, with the firm continuing to build up a respected expertise in resolving legal and regulatory issues in the market. This has prompted a move up in the rankings to tier two.

Peers recommend the team for its integrated problem solving approach and well honed knowledge of technology.

In the IT space, the firm advises on documentation involving complex institution specific information systems, the establishment of data centres and backup sites, and handling agreements relating to disaster recovery, software licensing as well as hardware procurement, among others. The firm’s media practice provides regulatory advice and assists clients on structuring, negotiating and drafting documentation involving media and entertainment law. In telecommunications, clients praise the firm’s strong understanding of regulatory and licensing issues as well as its ability to tackle the commercial and technical challenges in this sector.

Senior partner Gilbert Leong is respected for his long standing experience in the market, while Lee Ai Ming and Yew Woon Chooi are well regarded contributors in the IT sector.

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Known for its tie up with Baker & McKenzie, Wong & Leow’s IT and communications team has been particularly active this year advising new entrants to the Singapore market, as well as operators, governments and multinationals.Among several innovative deals, ... [more]

Known for its tie up with Baker & McKenzie, Wong & Leow’s IT and communications team has been particularly active this year advising new entrants to the Singapore market, as well as operators, governments and multinationals.

Among several innovative deals, a firm team led by associate principal Ken Chia advised Info-communications Development Authority on the S$1billion development of the Next Generation Broadband Network, the nation’s new high speed broadband network. The firm has also advised on procurement deals for the government and in the private sector, counseling on a broad range of transactional and regulatory matters including outsourcing as well as licensing and general compliance issues.

Peers especially value Chia’s deep understanding of IT, telecommunications and competition law.

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ATMD Bird & Bird has established a reputable practice in the information technology sector, prompting a well deserved first mention in the rankings this year.The practice counts Hewlett-Packard, StarHub, Yahoo! and Singapore Airlines (SIA) among its ... [more]

ATMD Bird & Bird has established a reputable practice in the information technology sector, prompting a well deserved first mention in the rankings this year.

The practice counts Hewlett-Packard, StarHub, Yahoo! and Singapore Airlines (SIA) among its growing list of clients, and it has picked up a number of notable mandates in the past 12 months.

In one highlight, a firm team led by partners Alban Kang and Koh Chia Ling advised SIA’s IT procurement department on legal issues associated with SIA’s IT procurement business. It also conducted a departmental review of all of SIA’s IT procurement contracts with third party suppliers and vendors.

The practice also handles all regulatory issues in this area, such as e-commerce, data protection and privacy issues.

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Lee & Lee retains a respected profile in telecommunications and new media, with a particular focus on drafting, reviewing and advising on technology and software transactions and agreements. The team has also been active in developing new licensing frameworks ... [more]

Lee & Lee retains a respected profile in telecommunications and new media, with a particular focus on drafting, reviewing and advising on technology and software transactions and agreements. The team has also been active in developing new licensing frameworks and strategies. Tan Tee Jim is a well regarded contact in this area, having been involved in a number of landmark cases in the local dispute resolution and IP fields. Among a number of noteworthy accolades, he is also deputy president of the Copyright Tribunal and the Income Tax Board of Review as well as a member of the Competition Appeal Board.

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