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Balázs Fazekas is a counsel and member of the Telecommunications, Media and Technology (TMT) practice group of the Budapest office of White & Case. He also has considerable experience in M&A, intellectual property and data protection matters. He joined White & Case in 1995.

Balázs regularly advises the Hungarian regulatory authorities, strategic and private equity investors, media and IT companies in the telecoms, media and technology sectors on the full range of their issues in the Hungarian market. He also leads White & Case's Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) regional TMT practice group, establishing initiatives to enhance the Firm's client relationships across CEE.

Below are a few of the many clients Balázs has advised in the area of TMT:

A national regulatory body in several matters, including:
- The continuing assessment of and commenting on the 2007 European Commission proposal and draft directives and regulations produced by the European Parliament and the European Council regarding a comprehensive reform to the 2002 electronic communication regulatory framework, including the proposals concerning the establishment of a new European telecom agency, a reform of the market analysis procedure and proposals to increase consumer benefits;
- The preparation of the international public tender for UMTS (third generation) mobile telephone licenses in Hungary, a tender that generated approximately €216 million in fees for Hungary, and after its successful completion resulted in 3G licenses to each of the three incumbents;
- Regulatory issues and litigation against the Egyetemes Elektronikus Hírközlési Támogatási Alap (Universal Electronic Communications Service Fund); and
- The legal analysis of a wide range of matters under the authority of the client, including the expiration of concession agreements, experience with international organizational models, and certain litigation issues relating to market analysis, provision of universal service and regulation of the postal sector;
A government department in the preparation, drafting, negotiation and adoption of the new Electronic Communications Act and its implementing decrees, in connection with the legal harmonization needs of Hungary joining the European Union;
A global leader in aerospace and defense, in the supply and servicing of Hungary's public safety radio network using TETRA technology, as subcontractor to Pro-M Zrt., a Deutsche Telekom subsidiary, operator of such network in Hungary, and in subsequent public procurement procedures for the procurement by state entities of TETRA equipment and hand sets;
The second-largest fixed-line telecommunications provider in Hungary:
- in 2009, in connection with the acquisition by a leading CEE private equity firm of a 65% stake in the client from a portfolio company of a consortium of private equity funds, including KKR, Blackstone, Providence Partners and Apax, and the restructuring of the client’s debt;
- in the corporate restructuring of the client and the refinancing of the client's €165 million senior credit facilities and its subsidiary’s €100 million bridge loan (the bridge loan), which was used to finance the acquisition of one of the leading alternative bandwidth providers in Central and Eastern Europe with the largest fixed-line infrastructure in the region, based in Austria, in March 2008; and
- previously, in their sale of 100% of the share capital of the owner of 99.98% of the telecommunications company, to the former entity for a total consideration of €470 million;
The European corporate headquarters of one of the largest broadband providers in various regulatory matters including legal interception and privacy in Hungary, requiring consultations with the national communications authority and the Data Protection Commissioner's Office;
A government body and a national regulatory body in the creation of the regulatory framework included in the tender for concessions regarding the provision of DCS 1800 mobile telephone services, and during the negotiation of the terms of the concession agreements with the successful bidders;
The European content division of a leading international cable operator in the acquisition of Hungarian specialized broadcasters that provide their programs via cable networks;
A government department in relation to the development of the new national audiovisual and media strategy;
A major producer of news and entertainment around the world in the conclusion of agreements with several Hungarian cable television network operators regarding distribution of its programs, such as CNN, the Cartoon Network, Boomerang and TCM;
A national broadcaster and a government agency in connection with the planned privatization of the national broadcaster; and
Foreign telecommunication companies in relation to equipment and service-licensing processes required to conduct their business activities in Hungary.

In the area of M&A, Balázs has advised or is advising:

Two leading private equity funds on the €325 million acquisition of Vivendi Telecom Hungary;
Several private equity funds in their bid to acquire GTS Communications, a Central European alternative telecommunications service provider; and
One of the first internet service providers in its acquisition of Elender, the then-second largest internet service provider in Hungary.

Balázs also has an active intellectual property practice and has advised or is advising:

A leading Hungarian architectural software producer on various licensing and other contractual matters;
A leading Hungarian software integration company in the implementation of an integrated banking system at one of the leading Hungarian commercial banks;
A North American sport league in an action initiated against a Hungarian entity infringing the trademarks of the league by selling counterfeit products.

Balázs is regularly recognized as a "leading individual" by venerable benchmark publications such as Chambers Europe.

Balázs also provides regular updates on telecoms regulations in Hungary to the "Infocommunications and Law", audited Hungarian monthly publication.

	Dr. Balázs Fazekas
Download vCard Expertise Sourcing & Technology Transactions Mergers & Acquisitions Intellectual Property Data Privacy Commercial Litigation Regulatory and Government Affairs Awards White & Case Named Hungarian Law Firm of the Year	Counsel Budapest T: + 36 1 488 5200 F: + 36 1 488 5299 E: *Practice Experience* Balázs Fazekas is a counsel and member of the Telecommunications, Media and Technology (TMT) practice group of the Budapest office of White & Case. He also has considerable experience in M&A, intellectual property and data protection matters. He joined White & Case in 1995. Balázs regularly advises the Hungarian regulatory authorities, strategic and private equity investors, media and IT companies in the telecoms, media and technology sectors on the full range of their issues in the Hungarian market. He also leads White & Case's Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) regional TMT practice group, establishing initiatives to enhance the Firm's client relationships across CEE. Below are a few of the many clients Balázs has advised in the area of TMT: A national regulatory body in several matters, including: The continuing assessment of and commenting on the 2007 European Commission proposal and draft directives and regulations produced by the European Parliament and the European Council regarding a comprehensive reform to the 2002 electronic communication regulatory framework, including the proposals concerning the establishment of a new European telecom agency, a reform of the market analysis procedure and proposals to increase consumer benefits; The preparation of the international public tender for UMTS (third generation) mobile telephone licenses in Hungary, a tender that generated approximately €216 million in fees for Hungary, and after its successful completion resulted in 3G licenses to each of the three incumbents; Regulatory issues and litigation against the Egyetemes Elektronikus Hírközlési Támogatási Alap (Universal Electronic Communications Service Fund); and The legal analysis of a wide range of matters under the authority of the client, including the expiration of concession agreements, experience with international organizational models, and certain litigation issues relating to market analysis, provision of universal service and regulation of the postal sector; A government department in the preparation, drafting, negotiation and adoption of the new Electronic Communications Act and its implementing decrees, in connection with the legal harmonization needs of Hungary joining the European Union; A global leader in aerospace and defense, in the supply and servicing of Hungary's public safety radio network using TETRA technology, as subcontractor to Pro-M Zrt., a Deutsche Telekom subsidiary, operator of such network in Hungary, and in subsequent public procurement procedures for the procurement by state entities of TETRA equipment and hand sets; The second-largest fixed-line telecommunications provider in Hungary: in 2009, in connection with the acquisition by a leading CEE private equity firm of a 65% stake in the client from a portfolio company of a consortium of private equity funds, including KKR, Blackstone, Providence Partners and Apax, and the restructuring of the client’s debt; in the corporate restructuring of the client and the refinancing of the client's €165 million senior credit facilities and its subsidiary’s €100 million bridge loan (the bridge loan), which was used to finance the acquisition of one of the leading alternative bandwidth providers in Central and Eastern Europe with the largest fixed-line infrastructure in the region, based in Austria, in March 2008; and previously, in their sale of 100% of the share capital of the owner of 99.98% of the telecommunications company, to the former entity for a total consideration of €470 million; The European corporate headquarters of one of the largest broadband providers in various regulatory matters including legal interception and privacy in Hungary, requiring consultations with the national communications authority and the Data Protection Commissioner's Office; A government body and a national regulatory body in the creation of the regulatory framework included in the tender for concessions regarding the provision of DCS 1800 mobile telephone services, and during the negotiation of the terms of the concession agreements with the successful bidders; The European content division of a leading international cable operator in the acquisition of Hungarian specialized broadcasters that provide their programs via cable networks; A government department in relation to the development of the new national audiovisual and media strategy; A major producer of news and entertainment around the world in the conclusion of agreements with several Hungarian cable television network operators regarding distribution of its programs, such as CNN, the Cartoon Network, Boomerang and TCM; A national broadcaster and a government agency in connection with the planned privatization of the national broadcaster; and Foreign telecommunication companies in relation to equipment and service-licensing processes required to conduct their business activities in Hungary. In the area of M&A, Balázs has advised or is advising: Two leading private equity funds on the €325 million acquisition of Vivendi Telecom Hungary; Several private equity funds in their bid to acquire GTS Communications, a Central European alternative telecommunications service provider; and One of the first internet service providers in its acquisition of Elender, the then-second largest internet service provider in Hungary. Balázs also has an active intellectual property practice and has advised or is advising: A leading Hungarian architectural software producer on various licensing and other contractual matters; A leading Hungarian software integration company in the implementation of an integrated banking system at one of the leading Hungarian commercial banks; A North American sport league in an action initiated against a Hungarian entity infringing the trademarks of the league by selling counterfeit products. Balázs is regularly recognized as a "leading individual" by venerable benchmark publications such as Chambers Europe. Balázs also provides regular updates on telecoms regulations in Hungary to the "Infocommunications and Law", audited Hungarian monthly publication. *Bars and Courts* Budapest Bar, 2002 *Education* PG Dip in Economics, Budapest University of Economic Sciences and Public Administration, 2002 JD, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, 1997 *Awards and Recognition* Chambers Europe, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011 and 2012 Hungarian Law Firm of the Year 2010, IFLR1000 CEE Law Firm of the Year 2010, Chambers Europe Awards Legal 500 Europe, Middle East & Africa, 2008 and 2010 Best Lawyers, 2010 *Languages* Hungarian English German *Citizenship* Hungary	News & Media Largest LBO in Baltic Region White & Case Advises on Largest Privatisation Ever in Hungary