DLA Piper advise NEC Corporation on acquisition of Aspire

DLA Piper has advised NEC Corporation (NEC) on its acquisition of Aspire Technologies Unlimited Company (Aspire).

Aspire has its headquarters in Dublin, Ireland and is a leader in technology solutions and specialised system integration for Open RAN 5G. Aspire’s skills in designing and integrating Open Networks will be critical for the drive toward adoption of Open RAN 5G globally.

NEC is a global leader in Open RAN. NEC Open Networks is an industry-leading ecosystem consisting of an end-to-end suite of open products and solutions, including Open RAN components for disaggregated hardware and software, xHaul transport, converged core, automation/ orchestration software and SI services. The addition of Aspire Technology strengthens NEC’s SI offering for Open RAN 5G applications, which require an increased level of systems design and integration when compared with legacy ecosystems.

DLA Piper acted as global legal counsel to NEC, with a team led out of the firm’s Tokyo office by corporate partner Lance Miller and the Dublin office by corporate partner David Carthy with assistance from corporate legal director Micheál Mulvey and senior associate Jack Kelly. Head of Employment in Ireland Ciara McLoughlin and employment legal director Orla O’Leary also advised on the international employment law aspects of the deal.

The transaction required DLA Piper to coordinate advice from multiple jurisdictions worldwide and showcased the firm’s ability to deliver complex multi-jurisdictional transactions for clients in a seamless and coordinated manner.

Commenting on the deal, David Carthy said “This is a transformational deal for NEC. The acquisition of Aspire will enhance NEC’s capabilities by adding a rich portfolio of technology solutions in addition to adding a wealth of experience and expertise. It further emphasises NEC’s commitment to leading the rollout of Open RAN 5G across the globe.”