Ireland: Vodafone takes communications watchdog to court

Vodafone Ireland has reportedly launched legal action against communications authority ComReg regarding its clearance of Hutchison’s merger with rival O2.

According to reports, Vodafone claims ComReg should have prevented the deal as it hands half of all radio communications spectrum in Ireland to Hutchison. Vodafone says the deal left it company at a competitive disadvantage.

Hutchison’s nearly $1 billion takeover of O2 Ireland was cleared by the European Commission in May. While the deal boosted Hutchison’s position within Ireland – the company already owned 3 Ireland – it remained behind industry leader Vodafone.

And while both EU and Irish authorities approved of the deal, Vodafone now claims ComReg should have prevented the transaction from moving forward. Reports say the company will now bring judicial review proceedings against the communications regulator.

According to reports, Vodafone had been in discussions with ComReg since last May asking the regulator to exercise its regulatory powers and require Hutchison to divest assets.

Full content: Irish Times

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