The emergence, proliferation and increasingly the convergence of disruptive technologies means these are interesting times for businesses.

The fourth industrial revolution is here: key data must be always available and accessible, businesses and individuals must be connected continuously and businesses must operate 24x7x365 resiliently.

In an always-on global economy, the pressures and challenges to remain competitive, grow market share and manage risk intensify.

Typically, businesses use various approaches to become more effective and profitable - efficiency drives, cost saving reviews, process re-engineering, strategic sourcing and supply chain projects. They also invest heavily in technological and communications infrastructure solutions.

We have extensive experience of advising companies (whether supply-side or end-user/demand-side) on the legal, regulatory, contractual and commercial aspects that arise in these projects. We advise on:

• Complex and large-scale IT and communications services projects (SIAM, strategic sourcing and procurement arrangements)
• Communications network infrastructure projects (including ultrafast full-fibre (FTTP), superfast fixed and/or wireless broadband access, voice and data communications network services (WAN/LAN) and 3G/4G mobile services and 5G pilot projects
• Business transformation and business process re-engineering projects
• Systems integration, software licensing and distribution arrangements
• Cloud computing, including SaaS, IaaS and PaaS
• Blockchain applications including digital assets
• Artificial intelligence and machine learning
• Internet of Things / Industrie 4.0 and Smart Cities
• Digital media and entertainment arrangements
• Collaboration arrangements, franchise, distribution and standard form commercial agreements
• Corporate JVs, investments, M&A, disposals, spin-outs and -ins
• EU public procurement, state aid and competition law within the TMT sector