MinterEllisonRuddWatts has acted on a major telco network-sharing arrangement involving three of New Zealand’s telco giants – 2degrees, Spark and Vodafone – as they seek to improve internet connectivity in rural areas and fix mobile blackspots along main highways and key tourist spots.
According to the firm, it advised all three companies on the establishment of a joint venture company, the Rural Connectivity Group, a major agreement with Crown Fibre Holdings.
The deal with Crown Fibre will see the joint venture company receive between $150m and $250m in funding for the build program.
Corporate partners
Cathy Quinn ONZM and Tom Maasland led the law firm’s teams across two work streams. Quinn advised the consortium on the establishment of the joint venture, while Maasland negotiated the agreement with Crown Fibre on their behalf.
“To form the joint venture, we needed to take an innovative approach to overcome the complexities of advising three parties who in all other respects are competitors,” said Quinn.
According to Maasland, the joint venture will see at least 400 new cell towers across New Zealand.
Last month, MERW announced it helped the Crown’s development company working on the Christchurch Convention and Exhibition Centre with a milestone. It acted for Ōtākaro Limited, which will build the $240m centre.
Related stories:
Construction specialists act on CHCHS new $240m convention centre
Just over a thousand more in donations before top firms chair shaves head
.jpg)
