Joanne Wheeler

Joanne Wheeler is a Partner in the Technology, Media and Telecommunications team and specialises in regulatory matters, commercial contracts and transactions in the space, satellite and communications sectors.

She represents operators, manufacturers, communications companies, financial institutions, governments and international institutions in all aspects of domestic, European and international regulations and procedures and in all types of commercial contracts, including in the negotiation and drafting of procurement contracts.

In addition to her private practice experience, Joanne has extensive and unique experience from her three years at the European Space Agency in Paris and a short time at the UK Office of Communications (Ofcom). She is on various panels and committees including the British Standards Institute Panel on space debris, the Advisory Council of the London Institute of Space Policy and Law, the Advisory Board of the University College London satellite project. Joanne is also the Secretary of the UK branch of the European Centre for Space Law.

Joanne has lectured on space law topics at Queen Mary College, University of London and the International Space University in Strasbourg.  She is a regular speaker at international space and communications conferences, has published several articles in international journals and has contributed chapters for several books on space and satellite topics.

Joanne is admitted to practice law in England and Wales and also in Scotland, where she is a notary public. Joanne holds degrees from the Universities of Aberdeen, Oxford and Rotterdam and a diploma in telecommunications from Queen Mary College, University of London.

Relevant experience

• Solaris Mobile Limited - advice on all regulatory issues associated with the S-band selection and authorisation process in Europe and, after it was successful in the selection process, advising on ongoing regulatory issues.
• SES - advice on the European communications regulatory reforms and the preparation of position papers and UK regulatory issues.
• UK Government - drafting the regulatory paper as part of the UK Space Innovation and Growth Team after consultation with 22 members of the space and satellite industry.
• Avanti - regulatory support on the Hylas financing.
• ESA - working with Euroconsult and ESPI on ESA's study on the use of PPP in the satellite communications industry.
• O3b - advice on Ofcom's satellite filing procedure, BNSC licensing and other regulatory issues.
• Advising a US company on issues of space debris and international guidelines.
• UK Department of Health - advice on the grant and transfer of recognised spectrum access.
• Advising lenders to the winning consortium in relation to the UK MoD's Skynet 5 military satellite communications project on satellite regulatory issues including advising on the outer space treaties and conventions, the UK Outer Space Act, and the ITU's Radio Regulations.
• While at Ofcom, drafting Ofcom's procedures for the management of satellite filings with the ITU  with the space services team.
• Inmarsat - advice on the drafting and negotiation of contracts in relation to the ESA Alphasat project, including the satellite procurement contract.
• Providing assistance to US and UK satellite operators in negotiating and amending launch services agreements and procurements contracts.
• Drafting capacity sale agreements for various companies including O3b.
• Drafting and negotiating over 10 technical assistance agreements in order to comply with the US International Traffic in Arms Regulations.
• SkyWave Mobile Communications Inc. - advice on contractual arrangements for the receipt of satellite and data network services.