Spark New Zealand has welcomed a High Court decision to order a short-term stay in the event the New Zealand Commerce Commission gives its clearance on 23 February to the proposed merger between Sky Network Television and Vodafone New Zealand. Following applications by Spark, 2 Degrees and Internet NZ, the Court has ruled that Sky and Vodafone are prohibited from completing the merger in reliance on any clearance by the Commission until midnight on the third day after the Commission has delivered the reasons for its decision to the applicants.
"We and others believe the proposed merger will be bad for consumers – resulting in poorer choice and higher prices for consumers, especially when it comes to sports content. That was at the heart of our decision to take this Court action," said Spark’s GM of regulatory affairs, John Wesley-Smith.
"Without this stay, there was a risk that Sky and Vodafone would immediately take steps to implement the merger and make it a fait accompli – which would render any future legal review a meaningless exercise," Smith added.
Spark also said it is now waiting for the Commission’s decision on 23 February, on whether to clear the proposed merger.
