Bird & Bird is renowned for guiding prominent Dutch and international telecom companies through areas including fibre network development, spectrum distribution, and advanced regulatory matters. Marjolein Geus and Paul Waszink steer the telecoms practice, with Geus a leader in managing international and EU digital sector projects and seen as a ‘go-to-person regarding telecoms-related disputes.’ Waszink offers seasoned advice and litigation support to major telecoms entities and financial institutions on telecom-related issues. Frank Simons focuses on pioneering telecom projects, including telecoms infrastructure and the introduction of next-generation services. Feyo Sickinghe advises telecoms industry groups in the Netherlands and EU, focusing on new legislative and regulatory developments.

Brinkhof is a prominent force in the Dutch telecoms sector, adept in areas spanning regulatory issues, spectrum auctions, fibre roll-out, and patent litigation, serving a diverse clientele including network operators, infrastructure providers, and service providers. The team is co-led by Pepijn van Ginneken, a renowned competition law expert with a focus on telecoms regulatory matters, and Quinten Kroes, who handles both contentious and non-contentious issues in telecoms, media, and data protection. Remy Chavannes is notable for his telecoms litigation expertise. Dorien Verhulst excels in civil claims, enforcement proceedings, and administrative disputes, including spectrum allocation and pricing, while Hanneke Kooijman contributes expertise in regulatory matters.

A&O Shearman is lauded for its ‘great understanding of the telecommunications industry,’ providing counsel to telecoms incumbents and providers on a range of issues, including regulatory and antitrust matters, M&A, litigation, and tax. The group is headed by Kees Schillemans, who specialises in EU and competition law, and is particularly adept at managing regulatory matters for Dutch network provider KPN. Midas Klijsen is another key figure, representing telecom clients in administrative and civil proceedings with a focus on competition law, economic regulation, and public procurement law. Tjarda van der Vijver founded his own firm in June 2023.

Clifford Chance offers expert advice in the telecoms sector, encompassing licensing, regulatory matters, foreign investment controls, and data protection requirements. Jaap Tempelman, leading the tech and digital team, specialises in telecoms transactions and disputes, with a keen focus on technology-related commercial contracting, regulatory issues, and litigation. Andrei Mikes and Orsolya Gondos are other key names to note.

Kennedy Van der Laan is renowned for its expertise in frequency law, radio spectrum auctions, and related regulatory matters, including market dominance and procedural administrative enforcement law. The telecoms practice is housed within the firm’s regulatory department, jointly led by Quirine Tjeenk Willink and Leon Mensink. Willink is highly sought after for her ‘extensive experience in telecoms’ and frequency law, and has played a pivotal role in major spectrum auctions for both telecom and strategic radio frequencies. Mensink brings a strong background in civil and administrative proceedings, as well as a wealth of knowledge in tariff regulation, market dominance, network access, and market entry issues.

NautaDutilh excels in offering guidance on 5G spectrum auctions, telecoms outsourcing, and OTT platforms, delivering comprehensive transactional, regulatory, and litigation services to TMT clients. Led by Joris Willems, the technology group boasts extensive experience advising clients such as telecom companies, mobile operators, technology consultancies, and mobile satellite service providers.

Pels Rijcken & Droogleever Fortuijn NV continues to be the go-to counsel to the Dutch government and regulatory bodies, advising on emerging areas of law and defending them in politically sensitive and complex disputes. Arnoud Boorsma spearheads the team and is adept at supervision, enforcement, and general administrative law, notably within the telecoms, public, and commercial media spaces. Meanwhile, administrative law specialist Jannetje Bootsma concentrates on telecoms and education law.

bureau Brandeis is well-versed in telecoms, media, competition, and administrative law, with a strong track record in litigating regulatory matters in the telecoms sector. Machteld Robichon is a seasoned litigator in regulatory enforcement proceedings involving Dutch authorities, especially in high-profile cases related to telecom and media regulation. Robichon co-leads the practice with Bas Braeken, an expert in EU competition law and regulated markets, who advocates for fixed line and mobile operators in cases involving market analysis decisions, abuse of dominance, and related matters.

De Brauw Blackstone Westbroek’s multidisciplinary team is adept at supporting telecoms clients with regulatory enforcement issues, cross-border transactions, and disputes. The group is jointly led by Stephanie The, a competition lawyer who guides clients through complex FDI screenings and merger control processes; Tobias Cohen Jehoram, specialising in intellectual property litigation; and Jolling de Pree, who is experienced in competition law and litigation within the EU. Anne Marie Verschuur, who joined in July 2023 from NautaDutilh, strengthens the team with her focus on technology and patents in her IP practice.

Houthoff’s TMT group, directed by Thomas de Weerd, collaborates closely with the firm’s M&A, dispute resolution, and automotive practices to provide counsel on various telecoms-related issues. Public law specialist Freeke Heijne concentrates on telecoms law and other regulated markets, offering guidance on the enforcement of current regulations, the effects of proposed legislation, and associated legal disputes. Jurre Reus contributes significant expertise to the team, particularly in advising on telecoms regulations within the automotive sector.

Under the guidance of Kim Lucassen, Loyens & Loeff’s telecoms group ‘delivers quality legal advice’ and extensive regulatory knowledge covering communication, mobile services, information networks, and VOIP, as well as emergency calling, data retention, and interception obligations. The firm also offers considerable experience in providing contentious and non-contentious support to diverse telecom sector companies.