Pinsent Masons advises on GBP1bn rural network deal to improve UK mobile coverage

International law firm, Pinsent Masons, has advised the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) on a successful landmark £1 billion deal with the UK's four largest mobile network operators (MNOs) to create the 'shared rural network' arrangement and improve mobile coverage across the country.

Under the arrangement, EE, O2, Three and Vodafone and the government will co-invest in addressing both full and partial 'not spots' where none, or only some, of the operators offer existing mobile coverage. The target is that extra coverage will be provided to 280,000 premises and along 16,000km of roads.

Pinsent Masons advised DCMS on the initiative, including on the funding agreement and a range of legal and regulatory aspects of the deal.

The Pinsent Masons' team acting on the transaction included Simon Colvin (Partner), Justin Chan (Legal Director), Nick Hutton (Associate) and Elaine Mclean (Associate). 

Commenting on the deal, Partner and Head of TMT at Pinsent Masons, Simon Colvin said:

"It has been fantastic to work on such an important and pioneering deal. It's incredibly positive to see the successful outcome of the collaborative forces between the government and mobile network operators. They have worked together in determining an innovative, industry-led solution to the challenge of total and partial 'not spots' in mobile coverage in the UK enabling a step change in mobile connectivity." 

Melissa Giordano, Deputy Director Mobile Infrastructure & Spectrum, at DCMS said:

"The team at Pinsent Masons worked closely with us throughout and provided forward-thinking advice to ensure the final outcome was one that worked for everyone."