The European Union has sent CK Hutchison HoldingsLtd. a statement setting out its objections over the company’s planned $14 billion takeover of Telefonica SA’s British cellphone operator O2, according to people familiar with the matter, on concerns the deal could lead to higher prices and less choice for UK consumers.
The European Commission, the bloc’s top antitrust regulator, has said the sale of O2 to Hong Kong tycoon Li Ka-shing’s conglomerate Hutchison would create the largest mobile-network operator in the U.K., potentially removing an important competitor.
The commission opened a full-blown investigation into the telecoms deal in October.
O2 is Britain’s second-largest mobile operator, and Hutchison already owns the fourth-largest operator, Three UK.
Full content: The Wall Street Journal
Want more news? Subscribe to CPI’s free daily newsletter for more headlines and updates on antitrust developments around the world.
Featured News
DOJ and FTC Introduce Website for Reporting Anti-Competitive Healthcare Practices
Apr 18, 2024 by
CPI
US Congress Advances Legislation to Compel TikTok Sale
Apr 18, 2024 by
CPI
UK Financial Sector Advocates Enhanced Regulatory Accountability
Apr 18, 2024 by
CPI
Google and All 50 States Defend $700 Million Consumer Settlement
Apr 18, 2024 by
CPI
Colorado Enacts First Law to Protect Consumer Brainwave Data
Apr 18, 2024 by
CPI
Antitrust Mix by CPI
Antitrust Chronicle® – Economics of Criminal Antitrust
Apr 19, 2024 by
CPI
Navigating Economic Expert Work in Criminal Antitrust Litigation
Apr 19, 2024 by
CPI
The Increased Importance of Economics in Cartel Cases
Apr 19, 2024 by
CPI
A Law and Economics Analysis of the Antitrust Treatment of Physician Collective Price Agreements
Apr 19, 2024 by
CPI
Information Exchange In Criminal Antitrust Cases: How Economic Testimony Can Tip The Scales
Apr 19, 2024 by
CPI