EC opens in-depth investigation into Orange, 3 Austria deal

News Wireless Austria 29 JUN 2012
EC opens in-depth investigation into Orange, 3 Austria deal
The European Commission (EC) has opened an in-depth investigation into the planned acquisition of Orange Austria by rival Hutchison 3G Austria (3 Austria). The EC's initial market investigation has found that the proposed acquisition may create significant competition problems by removing Orange as a competitor in the retail market for end consumers and on the wholesale market for network access and call origination. As the merger will cut the number of mobile network operators in Austria from four to three, the EC wants to make sure that this consolidation does not lead to higher prices for end consumers. The investigation will take up to 90 days. Responding to the move, 3 Austria CEO Jan Trionow said the company remained confident that the deal would be approved.

Categories:

Mobile

Companies:

Orange Austria,  3 Austria

Regions:

Europe

Countries:

Austria

Tags:

Voice services, Data services, Messaging, Company, Services, Market, Regulations, Corporate, Consumer, Client, Product, Pricing, M&A buyouts & divestments

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