Holland and Knight Advises Telefonica on Wireless Infrastructure Deal with AT and T in Mexico

Holland and Knight advised Spanish telecom company Telefonica, S.A. in connection with an unprecedented wholesale long term deal with AT and T in Mexico. The deal will allow Telefonica to use AT and Ts wireless last-mile equipment the final link of telecom networks that includes towers, antennas and fiber optic cables to deliver service to consumers. The deal closed on November 21. While keeping its own core network and associated systems, Telefónica will continue to provide mobile services to its business and end customers throughout Mexico by means of AT&T's existing and future wireless infrastructure. Telefonica's customers will also benefit from future technologies, including 5G, when it is deployed by AT&T. After a three-year transition period, Telefónica will realize savings in the amount of $254 million dollars per year. Holland & Knight provided legal, regulatory and antitrust advice to Telefónica on the transaction. The team advising Telefónica was led by Mexico City-based Partner Luis Rubio Barnetche and included Partner Octavio Lecona and Senior Counsel Blanca Luévano. They were assisted by Partners Emma Solaun, Lance Myers and Marisa Marinelli.