Argentina: Possible conflict of interest casts doubt on Telecom-Cablevisión merger

Having recently approved the merger of Telecom Argentina and Cablevisión, the head of the National Commission for the Defense of Competition (CNDC), Esteban Greco, has been denounced in court over alleged breaches of public duties and conflict of interests.

The complaint, filed by lawyer Liliana Zabala, alleges that Greco joined GPR Economía, “a consultancy that advised Telecom, Telefónica and Cablevisión during 2009 and 2014 on issues of free competition and market analysis.” For the legislators, “Telecom and Cablevisión together exceed the national and international merger standards, according to the official records for all the services in different provinces of the country, and especially in the broadband Internet connection at the national level”.

The merger between the companies – whose main shareholders are the same as those of Grupo Clarín – would imply the birth of a new communications industry leader in Argentina with full “Quadruple Play” capabilities.

Full Content: La Nación

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