Communications Networks & Smart Devices.

The networks, platforms, and devices powering always-on connectivity

In today’s digital landscape, connected devices—from smartphones and tablets to drones and smart cars—enable vital communications for personal, business, and educational purposes across the globe. As technology evolves, network operators and device manufacturers face a complex web of legal and regulatory requirements. Hogan Lovells helps clients navigate these challenges, ensuring their innovations launch successfully and securely, so everyone can enjoy the benefits of a seamlessly connected life.


How we support our clients

Our team partners with leading organizations to address the full spectrum of regulatory, technical, and strategic issues in communications networks and connected devices. Leveraging decades of experience and deep relationships with regulators worldwide, we guide clients through spectrum allocation, product approvals, privacy and security obligations, and supply chain resilience. Whether developing new products or expanding global operations, we provide the insight and advocacy needed to manage risk and drive growth in a highly regulated sector.


Areas of focus

Regulatory Compliance for Connected Devices

Advising on legal obligations for cellphones, wearables, drones, medical devices, and connected cars

Radio Frequency Spectrum Management

Identifying, acquiring, and protecting wireless spectrum for diverse use cases; negotiating communications service agreements, leases and authorizations

First-of-Their-Kind Authorizations

Securing experimental licenses and regulatory waivers for novel technologies and services

Product Counseling

Navigating equipment authorization, device approvals, technical reviews, and commercial negotiations

National Security & Supply Chain

Ensuring supply chain durability and compliance with evolving trade and security regulations

Telecom Provider Strategy

Supporting network deployment, investment, and compliance with outage reporting, lawful intercept, emergency calling, and privacy/ security requirements

Sector-Specific Expertise

Deep experience in drones, wireless medical telemetry, and connected vehicles, including spectrum and licensing issues

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Delivering results

A health care technology company providing digital infrastructure to support the diagnosis and treatment of patients needed to ensure its critical wireless medical body area network (MBAN) technology would remain protected as the FCC moved to open the 2360–2395 MHz band for new, high power commercial space launch communications under the Launch Communications Act. Our team advised the client throughout this FCC proceeding, preparing and prosecuting a comprehensive set of filings to safeguard MBAN operations from harmful interference. We also supported in establishing a coordination framework with commercial space launch operators to enable shared, interference free use of the band. This work protected the connectivity reliability of the provider’s mobile patient monitoring technology and demonstrated our team’s ability to guide clients navigating complex regulatory environments at the intersection of health care, life sciences, and communications.

Key Contacts

Ari Fitzgerald

Partner Global Regulatory

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Katy Milner

Partner Global Regulatory

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