Telecommunications

Crowell & Moring is recognized as a leading law firm in Belgium for sector-specific matters related to the telecommunications, information technology and media and entertainment sectors. We advise on commercial and transactional, regulatory, corporate and M&A, competition, outsourcing, employment, intellectual property and dispute resolution matters. We represent both national and international clients across these industries.

With specific reference to the telecommunications industry, the following capabilities in our Brussels office are particularly worthy of note:

Regulatory

We counsel clients on the regulatory requirements applicable to their activities in Belgium and throughout the rest of Europe, including licensing requirements, access to and the use of numbering capacity, lawful intercept obligations, data protection and retention requirements, contractual obligations and information requirements towards end-users, and value-added services.

Litigation

Our team is well known for its work in contentious matters. Over the years, we have been involved in a number of high-profile cases concerning electronic communications. We regularly represent clients before all the relevant courts and regulatory bodies including the sector regulator BIPT/IBPT, the Ethical Commission for Telecommunications, the specialized chambers of the Brussels Court of Appeal and the Mediation Service for the Telecommunications Sector.

Our Team

Our team is led by partner Thomas De Meese. Thomas has been consistently recognized by many reputable legal journals for his work in this area. He has been made a member of the Legal 500 EMEA Hall of Fame because of his outstanding reputation and the consistent praise of his work by clients and peers. Thomas is supported by an excellent team of younger lawyers, including telecoms specialist Karl Stas (counsel). Karl focuses on EU and Belgian competition law and the regulation of network industries (in particular telecommunications, postal and energy).

“Thomas De Meese heads the firm's telecommunication practice, advising on transactional and contentious matters. […] Clients describe him as an ‘outstanding’ lawyer, who offers ‘excellent support’”. Chambers Europe, 2018

“Thomas De Meese […] ‘knows telecoms work inside out’ and also handles competition matters relating to media and IP. [He is] ‘helpful and responsive’ according to clients.” Chambers Europe, 2018

“Thomas De Meese is a well-known practitioner with extensive experience in the media and telecoms sectors. He is singled out for his work in the areas of competition, technology and gambling legislation.” Chambers Europe, 2017

“An impressed client states: ‘[Thomas] is not only accurate, flexible and fast but is also a very bright guy. It is a good combination.’” Chambers Europe, 2016