Argentina: Telefónica and Claro denounce preferential treatment of rival Grupo Clarín

Telecommunications giants Telefónica and Claro have spoken out against the government of President Mauricio Macri and his recent decree authorizing the local media group Grupo Clarín to offer mobile telephone services, through their purchase of mobile provider Nextel, accusing his administration of playing favorites.

The Cablevisión-Clarín grouping would instantly become the powerhouse of argentine telecommunications. Clarín is already a mighty business empire, with assets in all forms of media including market leaders in the press (Clarín and La Nación newspapers), as well as cable TV (Cablevisión) and open broadcast (La Trece).

Grupo Clarín’s dominance is liable to increase in the coming months, with the likely approval by regulators of Nextel’s bid to take over their rival Telecom, reducing the number of competitors in the country’s mobile market to four, as well as concentrating approximately 70% of the fixed broadband market, as well as premium TV and cable TV markets.

Claro and Telefónica have said they will not hesitate in bringing their concerns to court in order to denounce the alleged preferences shown by the executive in matters that could imply severe economic impacts for the country.

Full Content: El Destape Web

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