Field Fisher Waterhouse is advising Orange Personal Communications Services, the mobile telephone operator, in connection with its strategy for Third Generation Mobile (otherwise known as Universal Mobile Telecommunications System). Head of telecommunications Tony Ballard is leading the team. The planned auction of the radio frequency spectrum for Third Generation is expected early next year.
Latham & Watkins advised Jupiter Telecommunications (J-com), the largest multiple system cable television operator in Japan, on its investment in @Home Japan. @Home Japan is an Internet-based joint venture between Sumitomo Corp and Silicon Valley-based Excite@Home, a provider of internet services to residences and businesses over the cable television infrastructure in the US. The joint venture will use Excite@Home’s technology to launch a Japanese version of its high-speed cable internet. The value of the deal is confidential. Head of finance David Miles led the team, assisted by Michael Bond. Excite@Home was advised by corporate associate John Kastelic of Fenwick & West in Palo Alto. Sumitomo was advised by its in-house team and corporate partner, Steven Doi, from the Tokyo office of Graham & James.
