On 4 June 2025, Volterra Fietta hosted a virtual seminar on “Damages in Spectrum Re-Allocation Disputes”
This seminar explored the unique features of damages claims when rights to radiofrequency spectrum are re-allocated away from an incumbent user or simply terminated, whether by a commercial counterparty or a State. The seminar presented the key considerations necessary for general counsel, executives and government officials to assess the value of their spectrum in the event of a potential or existing dispute concerning spectrum rights.
Our speakers at this seminar bring decades of lived experience in some of the world’s most complex spectrum regulatory and disputes matters, including in disputes concerning the re-allocation of spectrum valued in the billions of US dollars. Their insights were particularly valuable to those seeking perspectives from seasoned practitioners in the fields of telecommunications and satellite regulation and disputes.
Our distinguised speakers were:
Mr Gunjan Sharma, Partner at Volterra Fietta. Mr Sharma is widely acknowledged as a leading expert in the field of space law. He has an unbeaten track record representing clients in space disputes for billions and hundreds of millions of dollars, having been senior counsel on three of the largest space sector disputes in the last decade – and won all of those cases for his clients. He also routinely advises clients in litigations on matters concerning ITU regulations and frequency allocations. Mr Sharma has trained over a dozen space agencies on various space law topics. Mr Sharma is described by Chambers and Partners and Legal 500 as a “future star in the public international law area for sure” and “excelling in the depth of his knowledge and ability to provide superior legal advice”. These legal directories recognise Mr Sharma as an “Up and Coming” and “Next Generation” partner, respectively.
Mr Marcus Bagnall, Partner at Wiggin. Mr Bagnall has extensive experience in the technology, media and telecommunications sector. He advises clients in Europe, Australia and the Middle East on commercial and regulatory aspects of industry digitalisation arrangements and next-generation networks. Mr Bagnall has experience both in-house and in private practice and has given advice in arrangements at the top of the industry, including on satellite build, capacity and services arrangements and regulatory guidance on satellites and associated spectrum rules, as well as on the expansion of D2D services and spectrum access for global operators. Legal 500 recognises that Mr Bagnall “distinguishes himself through a combination of deep legal expertise, a passion for technology, and a commitment to client service that sets him apart from competitors”.
Dr Paroma Sanyal, Principal at The Brattle Group. Dr Sanyal is the Co-Leader of the Telecommunications, Media & Entertainment Practice. She advises clients on regulatory issues in spectrum auctions, spectrum value, spectrum availability and fixed and mobile broadband. Dr Sanyal is regularly consulted on major FCC spectrum and subsidy auctions, competition analyses in the telecom industry and false advertising cases. She was the former Chief Economist of the Wireless Bureau at the United States Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and led the wireless agenda on economic analysis and policy and worked in various high-profile telecom mergers. Dr Sanyal regularly speaks at academic and industry conferences, and publishes in peer-reviewed journals, for example, the Journal of Regulatory Economics and International Review of Economics and Finance.
The panel was moderated by Ms Florentine Vos, Consultant at Volterra Fietta. Ms Vos advises States, international organisations and private clients on issues of public international law and international dispute settlement, including before the International Court of Justice and in investor-state arbitration. She is an expert on space law. Ms Vos has acted in one of the largest space disputes, concerning claims of satellite interference and government oppression, and is a trusted advisor to private and public entities in the field. She was a finalist in the latest European Space Agency Young Lawyers’ Symposium. Ms Vos has published widely on the topic in industry publications such as Satellite Evolution and in national newspapers such as the Dutch NRC. She also regularly speaks and gives interviews on issues of space law.
For any queries regarding the content of the seminar, please email seminars@volterrafietta.com.
