Leading global law firm Baker & McKenzie has advised communications infrastructure and media services company Arqiva on its successful tender to provide the smart metering communications service in Scotland and Northern England. The UK Government is committed to providing smart metering technology to every home. It estimates that smart metering will deliver around £7 billion in benefits to homes and businesses nationwide, and is an integral part of Britain's digital and energy-efficient future. As prime contractor, Arqiva will invest in a new smart communications network and associated equipment. This will provide a private, secure and resilient communications service to support the mass rollout of smart meters until the end of 2015. The contract is worth £625 million.

Baker & McKenzie IT/C partner Duncan Reid-Thomas who led on the project said, "We're delighted to work with Arqiva again on this landmark project which will help consumers to control costs and save energy."

The team also included IT/C partner Steve Holmes and associates Charlotte Harrington, Ben Slinn, Laura Hastings, and Jack Langmore.