The European Commission is preparing a statement of objections (SO) in its investigation of the proposed takeover of Orange Austria by Hutchison, TelecomFinance was told.
According to a person familiar with the matter, the SO will likely be issued next…
The European Commission is preparing a statement of objections (SO) in its investigation of the proposed takeover of Orange Austria by Hutchison, TelecomFinance was told.
According to a person familiar with the matter, the SO will likely be issued next week.
In the document, the EC will outline in detail what concerns it has identified in its ongoing merger control investigation of the proposed transaction. The issuance of an SO also means that the regulator intends to block the transaction if no remedies can be found to address the issues.
A spokesperson for the European Commission declined to comment.
Hutchison has already formally offered remedies, most importantly by guaranteeing to grant MVNOs access to the network of a merged Hutchison/Orange Austria under favourable conditions.
The fact that the EC now intends to issue an SO indicates that a market test of the remedy proposal has indicated that third parties still have concerns.
Following the SO Hutchison will be able to offer improved remedies to secure clearance.
Deadline for the investigation is 30 November.