Arsene and the Taxand network advise Alstom in the acquisition of 21net

Arsene and the Taxand network (UK, Italy, Belgium) advised Alstom in signing an agreement to acquire 21net from Innovacom and other investors. 21net provides Embedded Web services and info-entertainment for the rail industry. Its Embedded Web Solutions are founded on satellite, cellular, and wireless broadband technology thanks to antenna located along the railway. The company is headquartered in the United Kingdom and has subsidies in Belgium, France, Italy and India. It employs 50 individuals for a 2017 sales revenue total of nearly 16 billion euros.

The company was founded in 2001 and acquired solid expertise in end-to-end network design and optimisation for broadband Internet services on high-speed trains. It implemented Wi-Fi equipment on all high-speed trains in France following an agreement signed with SNCF in 2016. Alstom has worked with 21net in the past on Wi-Fi and info-entertainment on NTV trains in Italy. The transaction should be completed within the next month.

4 members of the Taxand network advised Alstom with tax due diligence services:

• Arsene (France): David Chaumontet (Partner), Blandine Trabut-Cussac (Associate)
• Alvarez&Marsal Taxand (UK): Daf Williams
• Fantozzi & Associati (Italy): Francesco Cardone
• AB Taxand (Belgium): Geert de Neef

Other parties involved:
Alstom was advised by Herbert Smith Freehills: Christopher Théris, Partner et Noémie Laurin, Associate.
21net shareholders were advised by Dentons: Pascal Chadenet, Partner and Alexis Carlevan, member of the Dentons Paris office.

About Arsene

Arsene is the first, exclusively tax-centered independent law firm. The firm is a founding member of the Taxand International Network (50 countries, 400 partners, 2000 tax experts) and is not affiliated to an audit or legal firm.

Arsene was founded in 2004 to offer tailored services in all major fields. With 21 partners among the top 100 tax experts in Paris, Arsene advises and supports clients in tax management in an international environment.

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Media contacts: Enderby

Franck Moulins – T +33 (0)1 83 64 71 79 – [email protected]

Damien Piganiol – T +33 (0)1 83 64 71 77 – [email protected]