Hall Of Fame

Leading Associates

Industry focus: telecoms in Netherlands

Bird & Bird

Bird & Bird maintains a leading position in the telecoms sector, handling complex national and multi-jurisdictional projects, litigation, and regulatory matters for major telecom operators, financial institutions, and international technology players. The team is led by Marjolein Geus, who focuses on international and EU regulatory projects, and Paul Waszink, who has extensive experience in telecoms and media litigation. Frank Simons' focus lies on the full scope of non-contentious telecoms matters. Wilfred Steenbruggen advises on privacy matters in the space, while Raoul Grifoni Waterman and Joost van Roosmalen support on regulatory matters.

Responsables de la pratique:

Marjolein Geus; Paul Waszink


Autres avocats clés:

Frank Simons; Feyo Sickinghe; Raoul Grifoni Waterman; Wilfred Steenbruggen; Joost van Roosmalen


Les références

‘The team’s knowledge, collaborative approach, and the quality of their work are of a very high standard.’

‘The team at Bird & Bird is reliable and capable of handling complex questions with no clear answer in existing law. They were very proactive and wanted to understand our technology in order to correctly identify and define the regulatory questions for our meetings with regulators from across Europe.’

‘Marjolein Geus stood out due to her ability to identify issues and for her ability to manage the project.’

Principaux clients

ABN AMRO


British Telecom (BT)


Broadcom


Cellnex


Chunk Works


Circularise


CM.com


DoxyChain


European Commission


Equigy


Hacken


IOTA


IoT Nederland


Inmarsat


Konnecta


NLEx / Budget Thuis


NLPO – Dutch Association of Local Public Broadcasters


Nokia


Odido (former T-Mobile Netherlands)


OriginTrail


Open Dutch Fiber


ReLOG3P


Royal PostNL


Qualcomm


Rabobank


Sisvel


Bridgestone/Webfleet Solutions


Principaux dossiers


  • Acted as lead contractor for the pan-European blockchain regulatory sandbox, a three-year project for the European Commission.
  • Built a successful track record representing telecom operators Open Dutch Fiber and Odido and their investors in multiple fibre roll-out projects and associated legal proceedings regarding the deployment of Fiber-to-the-Home networks in large parts of the Netherlands.
  • Advised and represented Odido in appeal proceedings against highly classified decisions by the Minister of Economic Affairs, in which the company was ordered to remove certain equipment from its mobile network for security reasons and was denied any compensation.

Brinkhof

Brinkhof frequently advises at the intersection of telecoms, media, and online connectivity. The firm is the trusted advisor for innovative service providers, drawing on its deep specialisation in telecoms, competition law, and online platforms litigation. It also handles collective action claims against tech companies, spectrum regulation matters, and pivotal patent disputes. The practice is co-led by Pepijn van Ginneken, who has ‘vast knowledge’ of EU telecoms and competition law, and Quinten Kroes, a specialist advisor and litigator focusing on telecoms, media, and data protection. They are supported by seasoned litigator Remy Chavannes, alongside Hanneke Kooijman and Quinten Pilon, who both focus on regulatory and administrative court proceedings.

Responsables de la pratique:

Pepijn van Ginneken; Quinten Kroes


Autres avocats clés:

Remy Chavannes; Hanneke Kooijman; Quinten Pilon


Les références

‘The team stands out for its tech-focused approach and deep familiarity with EU and Dutch regulations.’

‘The team has a long history of dealing with cases in the telecoms sector, and that knowledge is very useful.’

‘With Pepijn van Ginneken you know you are in safe hands. He has vast knowledge of relevant cases within the telecoms sector and is a pleasure to work with, ensuring all required information is delivered on time and keeping you up to date on all relevant information.’

Principaux clients

Odido


X Corp


Google


OPPO


VCR


Eurofiber


Criteo


Principaux dossiers


  • Represented Odido in its interactions with the Dutch Authority for Digital Infrastructure, the authority that oversees compliance with the Telecommunications Act’s requirements on e-privacy and lawful interception.
  • Acting for China-based Oppo in a large number of infringement and nullity proceedings relating to infringements of standard essential patents against several companies that include Panasonic, Nokia and KPN.
  • Represented significant players in the adtech industry in cases involving the interpretation of the provisions of Dutch telecommunications law regarding cookie placement.

Kennedy Van der Laan

Kennedy Van der Laan stands out for its specialist expertise in frequency law, regulatory enforcement, and market dominance issues. The firm acts as a trusted advisor to key industry players, including major mobile and fixed network operators, advising on strategic matters like 5G frequency auctions, regulatory litigation, and administrative law proceedings, with a growing focus on the optical fibre market. The team is co-headed by Quirine Tjeenk Willink, a go-to adviser for spectrum-related matters, and Leon Mensink, an experienced litigator focusing on enforcement and network access. They are supported by Minke de Haan and Julia Siskina, who handle complex regulatory matters, with specialisms spanning the EU Telecommunications Code and radio frequency matters.

Responsables de la pratique:

Quirine Tjeenk Willink; Leon Mensink


Autres avocats clés:

Julia Siskina; Minke de Haan


Les références

‘Quirine Tjeenk Willink is a leading lawyer in radio regulatory matters.’

Principaux clients

VodafoneZiggo


DPG Media


Q-music Nederland


Radio Limburg


Vodafone Libertel


Ziggo


Glaspoort


Fastned


Royal Airport Schiphol (Schiphol Connect)


Sligro Food Group


Port of Amsterdam


Schiphol Area Development Company


Coca-Cola Nederland


PepsiCo Nederland


Principaux dossiers


  • Assisted VodafoneZiggo in the 5G frequency auction.
  • Advised Q-Music in the frequency auction for commercial radio.
  • Litigated on behalf of Match Group in Apple’s appeal against regulatory authority ACM’s decision to impose an order under penalty for abuse of market dominance by setting the conditions for in-app payments.

NautaDutilh

NautaDutilh focuses on cross-border M&A, regulatory advice, and litigation, often involving high-growth areas like AI, data, OTT platforms, and outsourcing. Key work includes advising on digital infrastructure acquisitions, MVNO sales, and global direct marketing compliance under the e-Privacy Directive. The team is led by Joris Willems, who has extensive experience regarding multi-jurisdictional transactions in the telecoms space. Willems is supported by Marlous Schrijvers, who handles pivotal infrastructure sales, and Danique Knibbeler, who focuses on regulatory matters.

Responsables de la pratique:

Joris Willems


Autres avocats clés:

Marlous Schrijvers; Danique Knibbeler


Principaux clients

Achmea


Apax Partners SAS


Dutch Public Broadcasting Authority NPO


Expereo International


GTT Communications


HAL Investments


InfraVia Capital Partners


ING Bank


Inmarsat Solutions BV and Inmarsat Global Limited


Knab Bank


Lebara


Nexos.AI


MSPS Group


Next Private B.V.


Prosus


Shell


Tata Consultancy Services


Tencent


Tinno Mobile


VodafoneZiggo


Vodafone Plc


Wiko


Principaux dossiers


  • Assisted AI scale-up nexos.ai on all corporate, ICT, telecoms and data protection related matters.
  • Supported Prosus on AI, Cyber, corporate, ICT, telecoms and data protection related matters.
  • Advised Lebara on several corporate and commercial matters, including the sale of the Lebara Group to Waterland Private Equity.

Pels Rijcken

Pels Rijcken demonstrates a deep track record representing Dutch government organisations in complex, high-stakes administrative disputes concerning the telecoms sector. Key work includes regulatory litigation stemming from domestic radio and 5G spectrum auctions, as well as complex enforcement cases regarding data security measures and licensing fees. The practice is led by Arnoud Boorsma, whose is experienced in oversight, enforcement, and regulatory issues across the financial, media, and telecoms sectors. Jannetje Bootsma focuses on telecoms law and regulated markets, while Marlies Koppenol specialises in complex frequency, data security, and enforcement matters.

Responsables de la pratique:

Arnoud Boorsma


Autres avocats clés:

Jannetje Bootsma; Marlies Koppenol


Les références

‘A strong and highly skilled team, the quality is always top notch.’

‘Arnoud Boorsma is a leading telecom lawyer, strong in court and intellectually strong.’

‘They possess strong expertise in representing the government in license procedures.’

Principaux clients

State of the Netherlands – Ministry of Economic Affairs


Dutch Authority for Digital Infrastructure (Rijksinspectie Digitale Infrastructuur, RDI)


State of the Netherlands – Ministry of Education, Culture and Science


Dutch Media Authority (Commissariaat voor de Media, CvdM)


Principaux dossiers


  • Advised the Ministry of Economic Affairs and the Dutch Authority for Digital Infrastructure regarding the auction of non-national FM licences and represented them in legal proceedings resulting from the auction.
  • Represented the Dutch Authority for Digital Infrastructure in legal proceedings against fees and payment arrangements with regard to nationwide FM frequencies licences.
  • Represented the Dutch Media Authority in legal proceedings regarding the imposition of an order subject to a penalty against AVROTROS to obtain two investigation reports.

A&O Shearman

In the telecoms sector, A&O Shearman combines regulatory, competition, M&A, and litigation expertise. The firm advises leading service providers and major broadcasters on significant matters driven by sector consolidation and new access obligations, including tower company mergers, 5G spectrum auctions, and regulatory disputes concerning grid congestion. The practice is led by Kees Schillemans, who specialises in EU and competition law, with a strong focus on the competition clearance of major mobile mergers and complex regulatory proceedings.

Responsables de la pratique:

Kees Schillemans


Les références

‘Focused regulatory team. Competition law-based but with long-developed regulatory expertise.’

‘Kees Schillemans stands out for his strong skillset, knowledge, broad strategic thinking, and a very pragmatic approach.’

‘The strength of the telecom team is that it combines in-depth knowledge of the telecom and competition regulation with very practical guidance, taking into account business considerations and showing the ability to keep an overview of the main themes.’

Principaux clients

KPN


Waterland


Principaux dossiers


HabrakenRutten

HabrakenRutten focuses on the telecoms aspects of technology, infrastructure, and real estate projects, demonstrating a particular track record in the fibre market. As a core area of focus, the firm also advises construction companies and service providers on commercial and contentious issues for Fibre-to-the-Home communication networks. The team is led by Jan Brölmann, an experienced  IT and telecoms lawyer who acts for international clients on high-value deals and disputes, and is also involved in major fibre network roll-out contracts.

Responsables de la pratique:

Jan Brölmann


Autres avocats clés:

Jesse Faber; Wytske van Haga


Principaux clients

Royal VolkerWessels


Dura Vermeer


Unica


Royal Terberg Group


Renewi


Vialis


Fujitsu


Blauwr


Principaux dossiers


  • Advising Vialis on telecommunication aspects relating to the use of state of the art intelligent traffic light installations.
  • Advised VolkerWessels Telecom on the roll-out, maintenance and support of fibre networks in the Netherlands.
  • Advised Royal Terberg Group on telecommunication compliance relating to vehicle data.

Houthoff

Houthoff stands out for its expertise in regulatory and transactional telecoms mandates. Combining experience in IT, tech contracting, and privacy issues, Thomas de Weerd heads the practice and supports on the IT aspects of major strategic transactions in the telecoms space. A further key contact is telecoms and digital technology expert Jurre Reus, who advises on liability issues, regulatory investigations, and data matters for European and US-based clients. Freeke Heijne left the firm in June 2025.

Responsables de la pratique:

Thomas de Weerd


Autres avocats clés:

Jurre Reus


Principaux clients

BAM Telecom


RAI Vereniging


Principaux dossiers


  • Advised BAM Telecom on the acquisition of WL Winet, a specialist in mobile and wireless telecom networks.
  • Advised RAI Vereniging on the phasing out of 2G and 3G networks, and the impact on eCall features in cars.