Communications

As globalization, technology and novel global crises redefine the way we work, live and connect, communications companies rely on our Communications group to help navigate the changing legal and regulatory landscape. Blakes has a long-standing communications law practice in Canada that covers all aspects of telecommunications, broadcasting and radiocommunication regulation. We have played a leading role in some of the most significant transactions in the communications industry over the past decades and have provided strategic advice to major communications players with interests in Canada.

Blakes Communications lawyers keep pace with our clients in an industry experiencing highly accelerated growth rates. Communications players retain our services in the context of disputes, hearings, regulatory enforcement actions and public consultation processes, including consultations of critical importance to the future of the telecommunications and spectrum environment in Canada (such as the deployment of 5G) carried out by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) and Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED).

Our Communications lawyers have been sought out by a wide variety of companies to advise on virtually every type of communications law issue. We provide expert representation and strategic regulatory advice to leading international and domestic wired and mobile telecommunications giants, broadcasters, satellite companies, internet service providers, and emerging media and entertainment businesses. We assist these clients with licensing and certification applications, wireless spectrum auctions, spectrum allocation and usage matters, annual filings, consumer safeguard measures (e.g., do-not-call regulations) and operational requirements. Our lawyers also routinely advise on corporate, commercial and financing transactions in the communications space.

Clients large and small regularly call on us for both strategic counsel and powerhouse advocacy before tribunals and regulatory bodies and in courtrooms. Working with our Media & Defamation group, we also advise leading media companies on libel, defamation, privacy and other issues relevant to communications companies.

Recent Experience

Bell Canada on its C$1-billion proposed sale of Northwestel, the leading telecommunications service provider in Norther Canada, to Sixty North Unity, a consortium of Indigenous communities from the Yukon, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut.
Bell Media Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of BCE Inc., in its C$410-million acquisition of the Canadian business of OUTFRONT Media Inc.
NorthwesTel Inc., a subsidiary of BCE Inc., in its acquisition of all wireline telecommunications assets held by TELUS Communications Inc. in the community of Atlin, British Columbia.
Canadian counsel to Stonepeak Infrastructure Partners on its US$2.4-billion acquisition of the emergency telecom unit of Intrado Corporation.
AMC Networks on its strategic partnership with Shaftesbury, Inc., an award-winning creator and producer of original content
The Special Committee of GVIC Communications Corp. on its going-private transaction.
RTL Group (a listed international media company majority-owned by Bertelsmann) on the sale of its interest in BroadbandTV for C$159-million in cash plus a promissory note as part of a management buyout and IPO
Stonepeak Infrastructure Partners in connection with its acquisition of Xplornet Communications Inc., Canada’s largest rural-focused broadband service provider. This is the largest private equity transaction in Canada in 2020.
Equinix, Inc. on its C$1.04-billion acquisition of 25 data-centre facilities across Canada from Bell Canada
Digital Colony Partners and EQT Infrastructure IV Fund on their consortium’s US$14.3-billion agreement to acquire and recapitalize Zayo Group Holdings, Inc.
Bell Canada Inc. regarding the review of the foreign ownership structure of Globalive Communications before both the CRTC and the federal Cabinet review proceeding.
National Hockey League Enterprises, as its Canadian regulatory advisor, with respect to broadcasting and media matters in relation to the distribution of its programming in Canada and its interest in the NHL Network. Also represented the NHL in CRTC proceedings in relation to regulatory treatment of New Media.
Harris Corporation on its US$675-million worldwide acquisition of the Canadian wireless network systems business of Tyco Electronics Ltd.
Global Banking Corporation on its acquisition of 11 per cent of S Tel in India, a joint venture established between Batelco in Bahrain and the Siva Group in India.
TATA Communications of India on corporate, commercial and certain regulatory matters.
Israeli-based Haaretz Daily Newspaper Ltd. in successfully representing them before the Supreme Court of Canada concerning internet jurisdiction and the alleged defamation of Canadian businessman Mitchell Goldhar.