Wiley Rein Advises Neustar on FCC Issues Involved in $2.9 Billion Deal to Privatize

December 16, 2016

Washington, DC—Wiley Rein’s Telecom, Media and Technology (TMT) Practice is advising Neustar Inc. on Federal Communications Commission (FCC) issues and approvals related to the company’s acquisition by a private investment group. The transaction, announced this week, is valued at $2.9 billion, including debt.

The proposed sale of Neustar to San Francisco-based private equity firm Golden Gate Capital, and minority share owner GIC Private Ltd. (an affiliate of Singapore’s sovereign wealth fund), is expected to take the real-time information services company private by the third quarter of 2017.

TMT partners Thomas J. Navin and Brett A. Shumate are leading the Wiley Rein team advising Neustar on FCC matters in the transaction—which is part of Neustar’s long-term strategy to improve and expand its data offerings. The deal has been covered by numerous business and trade outlets, including The Wall Street Journal.

Wiley Rein also provided key representation in another major technology transaction announced in August 2016. TMT partner Anna M. Gomez and Mr. Navin advised Xylem Inc. on FCC matters related to the company’s $1.7 billion purchase of Sensus, a leading provider of utility smart meters. Xylem, a leading global water technology company, anticipates that the strategic acquisition will accelerate its ability to bring systems intelligence solutions to customers across the water and energy industries.

Wiley Rein’s TMT Practice has handled hundreds of mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures, and other transactions involving telecom and media licenses before numerous federal, state, and international regulatory bodies. In particular, the group’s lawyers have frequently been successful in getting difficult and complex transactions approved in a timely manner. Wiley Rein’s TMT professionals, often in close collaboration with the firm’s Corporate Practice, have worked on securing the regulatory approvals for some of the industry’s largest transactions.