In a significant move aimed at boosting Ethiopia’s economic landscape, the country has launched its first securities exchange in over 50 years. This development comes as Ethiopia seeks to transition towards a private-led economy, targeting more than $27 billion in investment. The establishment of the Ethiopia Securities Exchange (ESX) follows the liberalisation of key sectors,…
DLA Piper has announced the addition of John Frantz as a partner in its telecommunications practice based in New York. Previously serving as Senior Vice President and General Counsel for Verizon Business Group, Frantz brings a wealth of experience in telecommunications regulatory compliance and complex commercial agreements. Frantz’s expertise at Verizon included leading regulatory compliance…
Renowned law firm Winston & Strawn has strategically bolstered its Miami operations by appointing Juan Delgado as a partner within its transactions department. This appointment marks a continuing expansion for the firm in the burgeoning Miami market. Juan Delgado brings extensive expertise in domestic and international corporate law, focusing on a wide array of services…
In a strategic move to bolster its restructuring, insolvency, and bankruptcy practice, Dentons has welcomed Van Durrer as a partner in its Los Angeles office. This development, announced on Monday, signals Dentons’ continued expansion in the complex and rapidly evolving field of bankruptcy law. For more details, the firm’s official announcement can be accessed here….
The Helsinki District Court has denied the release of the oil tanker Eagle S, maintaining its confiscation amid investigations into the vessel’s suspected role in damaging undersea cables and a power line in the Baltic Sea. The Finnish National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) is conducting an inquiry into the incident, categorizing the damage as potential…
In a significant move within the ongoing legal discussions surrounding the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), AT&T Services Inc. has demonstrated its support for Cornell University in a dispute concerning retirement plan management. The telecommunications giant has urged the U.S. Supreme Court to affirm that transactions conducted at arm’s length between plans and their…
The telecommunications industry in the United States has long resisted federal oversight, relying heavily on lobbying efforts to thwart regulatory measures. For the past three decades, telecom giants—and the entities financially backed by them—have continuously opposed various forms of regulation, from modest privacy protections to essential pricing transparency measures. The prevailing argument leaned on the…
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit overturned the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) decision to reinstate net neutrality rules, marking a significant development in the ongoing, contentious debate over internet regulation. This decision challenges the FCC’s authority to regulate internet service providers (ISPs) under the reinstated rules, which treated them as “telecommunications services”…
The past week in London has witnessed a flurry of legal activity, with notable proceedings emerging in multiple sectors. Among the high-profile cases, boxer Chris Eubank Jr. is facing a libel claim filed by a boxing promoter. In a different arena, a prominent figure in the perfume industry is contending with legal challenges from his…
The latest legal developments from January 3, 2024, cover a range of intriguing issues and decisions impacting both the judiciary and legal practice in the United States. A significant inquiry concluded with muted results when the Judicial Conference decided to close its investigation into Justice Clarence Thomas without taking any action. The probe focused on…
In a recent ruling, a three-judge panel blocked the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) efforts to reintroduce net neutrality rules. The court’s decision argued that the FCC had exceeded its statutory authority, emphasizing that the agency’s interpretation of related statutes was overly broad. Judge Griffin, one of the panel members, noted that the issue at hand…
The Palestinian Authority (PA) has made the decision to temporarily halt the broadcasting activities of Qatar-based media network Al Jazeera within the West Bank. This suspension, which also includes the closure of the network’s office in the occupied territory, stems from allegations that Al Jazeera has been broadcasting material that “incites” division and instability. The…
The European Commission, alongside the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs, issued a joint statement condemning the deliberate destruction of electricity and data cables in the Baltic Sea, attributed to Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet.” These actions mark a concerning escalation in infrastructure attacks linked to aging Russian vessels, ostensibly engaged in circumventing Western sanctions. High…
As the legal world wraps up an eventful year, Above the Law draws attention to an engaging facet of the holiday season with its ongoing Holiday Card Contest. Legal professionals and enthusiasts are invited to cast their vote by December 31st, providing a festive break from the usual corporate and courtroom rigors. The publication appears…
The U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), following President Joe Biden’s directives, has initiated an investigation into China’s strategies aimed at dominating the global legacy semiconductor chip market. These chips, integral to various technologies from automobiles to military equipment, are seen as critical components potentially affecting U.S. national security. This probe, as detailed in a press release…
BT Group, the prominent telecommunications company, has successfully defended itself in a significant £1.3 billion class action lawsuit, marking a critical decision in U.K. litigation. This case is noteworthy as it represents the first full opt-out trial conducted before the Competition Appeal Tribunal (CAT). Such trials allow claimants to bring a collective action on behalf…
In response to growing concerns over foreign involvement in critical national infrastructure, Representative Pat Fallon has introduced the ‘Protecting American Innovation Act,’ aimed at severing the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) from IT contracts with entities based in China. As tensions continue to rise between the two nations, this legislation appears central to efforts at…
The Supreme Court has declined to hear the petition challenging the implementation of New York's $15 broadband law, marking a significant moment in the ongoing discourse over state-level telecommunications regulations. The law, which mandates that Internet Service Providers (ISPs) offer a $15 monthly broadband plan with a minimum download speed of 25 Megabits per second,…
The Supreme Court has opted not to hear a challenge against New York State’s broadband pricing caps, intended to assist low-income residents. The case, New York State Telecommunications Association v. James, was among several petitions reviewed during the justices’ private conference on Friday, but was ultimately not selected for further examination. This development was revealed…
The United States Supreme Court has decided not to hear an appeal from the broadband industry, effectively allowing New York State to move forward with a law that caps internet service rates for low-income households. Without providing any comments, the Supreme Court has upheld the decision, rejecting claims from industry representatives that federal telecommunications regulations…
A recent report has found that telecommunications giants AT&T and Verizon are not notifying most victims of a call-records hack attributed to Chinese actors. This practice draws upon a Federal Communications Commission (FCC) order from December 2023, which allows carriers to bypass notifying consumers if they determine no harm is likely from a breach. The…
In a significant development within the telecommunications industry, the UK Competition Markets Authority (CMA) has approved Vodafone’s £15 billion merger with fellow telecoms operator Three. This approval is indicative of a potentially more lenient stance by the CMA towards large-scale mergers, as noted by experts. The decision marks a significant milestone for Vodafone and Three,…
In light of recent cybersecurity threats, specifically involving Chinese hackers reportedly infiltrating telecommunications networks, US officials have recommended encrypted messaging technologies for enhanced security. According to an Ars Technica report, a Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) official suggested that mobile phone users adopt devices that automatically receive critical operating system updates and employ robust encryption,…
In recent discussions with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Internet Service Providers (ISPs) have attributed customer retention to their “excellent customer service,” according to a report by Ars Technica. The debate emerges as the authority’s leadership is poised for transition, with new policy directions anticipated under incoming Chairman Brendan Carr, appointed by then-President-elect Donald Trump….
The United States Supreme Court is set to examine a ruling from the Fifth Circuit that challenges the constitutionality of the Federal Communications Commission’s Universal Service Fund (USF). The fund, generating $8 billion annually, aids in the expansion of telecom networks and facilitates improved access for consumers through various programs, including the Lifeline discount program….