The EC opens an in-depth investigation into the proposed acquisition of VOO and Brutélé by Orange | Photo credits: France Telecom
PARIS (Agefi-Dow Jones)–The European Commission (EC) announced on Thursday that it has opened an in-depth investigation to examine the proposed acquisition of VOO and Brutélé in Belgium by the telecommunications operator Orange in the light of the rules of the European Union with regard to mergers.
“The Commission is concerned that the proposed transaction may reduce competition in the retail markets for the provision of fixed Internet services, audiovisual services and multiple-play bundles (including the convergence of fixed and mobiles) in certain parts of Belgium,” the institution said in a statement.
Orange Belgium, the Belgian subsidiary of the telecommunications operator Orange, announced in December an agreement with the Belgian group Nethys to buy from it 75% minus one VOO share, on the basis of an enterprise value of 1.8 billion euros for 100% of the capital.
Brutélé is a Belgian cable operator mainly present in the Brussels-Capital Region and in certain municipalities of the Walloon Region in Belgium, the Commission said on Thursday. “It provides retail fixed telecommunications services through its own cable network, which it markets jointly with VOO under the ‘VOO’ brand,” its statement said.
-Eric Chalmet, Agefi-Dow Jones; +33 (0)1 41 27 47 95; [email protected] ed: LBO
Agefi-Dow Jones The financial newswire
Dow Jones Newswires
July 28, 2022 11:48 ET (15:48 GMT)