The estimated final cost of the consultancy for the strategic alliance is £2.95 million plus VAT and expenses of up to £50,000 per month for the duration of the project. The consortium of consultants is led by investment bankers Morgan Stanley. It also includes legal advisers Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher and Flom and telecommunications strategic advisers Arthur D. Little.
The role of the consultants is to assist the Department of Transport, Energy and Communications and the Department of Finance in the negotiation and conclusion of the alliance, including the finalisation of transaction documents. The consultants advise on all aspects of the alliance process including financial,-legal, regulatory and strategic considerations.