About William Coote
Will is a partner in our Technology, Media and Telecommunications practice, with extensive experience advising corporate and government clients on mission-critical technology and telecommunications projects, commercial transactions and related regulatory issues.
He focuses particularly on the digital infrastructure and defence sectors, national security issues across all critical infrastructure sectors and on the regulation of the digital economy.
Digital infrastructure
Will advises owners and operators of data centres, mobile networks, fibre networks, tower businesses and satellite networks on the commercial arrangements underpinning asset value, and the regulatory frameworks in which they operate, including the Security of Critical Infrastructure Act 2018 (Cth) (the SoCI Act).
His recent experience includes advising:
Data centres
- La Caisse on its $1.7 billion commitment in hybrid securities to be issued by NEXTDC Limited
- Stockland on the establishment of its data centres capital partnership with Edgeconnex
- CPP Investments on its acquisition of an interest in Airtrunk
- Globalswitch on its sale to HMC Capital (DigiCo)
- a global data centre operator on its agreement with a hyperscale lessor
- PE bidders on sale processes for Fujitsu’s data centres and iSeek
- financiers to PEP's purchase of Spark's data centres business.
Telecommunications
- TPG Telecom on a spectrum swap arrangement and various regulatory matters
- Globalstar on the acquisition of satellite gateway assets from Pivotel and as local counsel on its $11.7 billion sale to Amazon
- Sydney Trains on the replacement of its Digital Train Radio System
- Transgrid (Lumea) and Powerlink on regulatory matters relating to their telecommunications operations.
Towers
- Australian Super on its purchase of ATN from Singtel, and the purchase and integration of Axicom with ATN (now Indara)
- Indara on its acquisition of ENE.HUb and HUB, and on key customer agreements with the major MNO
- a financial investor on its investment in an Australian tower company
- an infrastructure investor on its bid for the Vodafone NZ towers portfolio.
Critical infrastructure regulation
Will has advised over 50 clients across nine of the 11 critical infrastructure sectors, covering 19 of the 22 classes of assets. This includes advising on compliance programs, and the intersection of the SoCI Act and the FIRB regime.
The digital economy
Will advises a range of technology, media and entertainment companies on Australia's expanding laws governing the digital domain, including the Online Safety Act 2021 (Cth), the Interactive Gambling Act 2001 (Cth), the Spam Act 2003 (Cth) and the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth). Recent experience includes advising:
Online safety
- a global social media company on its response to the under-16 social media ban
- a global gaming company on its compliance uplift program addressing online safety reforms and Australian gaming regulations
- a global technology company on its online safety compliance program.
Gaming and wagering
- a multinational bookmaker on its response to an ACMA investigation under the Interactive Gambling Act
- a multinational bookmaker on compliance matters relating to new product launches
- TAB NZ on a 25-year strategic partnering arrangement with Entain to enhance TAB NZ's betting, broadcasting and gaming operations
- News Corporationon the establishment of 'Betr'
- The Star on the establishment of its social gaming platform.
The Spam Act
- a Big 4 bank in connection with ACMA's investigation into Spam Act compliance
- a national insurance company on its Spam Act compliance program.
Media
- News Corporation on the sale of Foxtel to DAZN, on its acquisition of Australian News Channel (now News24), and on various commercial and regulatory matters
- Prime Media on its sale to Seven West Media.
Defence
Will advises a range of defence contractors on significant commercial arrangements and regulatory issues. Recent experience includes advising:
- a major US defence contractor on its expansion into Australia and the development of its Australian compliance program
- two US-based defence unicorns and one UK-based defence unicorn on their entry into the Australian market
- Palantir in connection with various government procurement programs and regulatory compliance matters
- ASC on its expansion into the United States (including US defence compliance) and regulatory issues relating to AUKUS.
- Naval Group on its role designing and delivering 12 submarines for the Australian Government's (now cancelled) $50 billion Attack Class Submarine Program.