Vodafone is set to secure EU antitrust approval for its takeover of Liberty Global’s cable networks in Germany and central Europe after offering concessions in May, people familiar with the matter told Reuters.
Vodafone offered to strengthen rival Telefonica Deutschland by giving it access to its merged broadband network after the European Commission said the deal may reduce competition in Germany and the Czech Republic. The proposal would allow Telefonica Deutschland to offer broadband services over Vodafone and Liberty Global’s German subsidiary Unitymedia’s cable networks in Germany.
Smaller rivals, however, have criticized the concessions as insufficient, raising the possibility of a legal challenge to the EU decision.
The Commission, which is scheduled to decide on the deal by 23 July, and Liberty Global declined to comment. Vodafone did not immediately respond to a request for comment, Reuters said.
