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UK: Fast-tracks antitrust look at BT-EE deal

By  |  June 9, 2015

The UK antitrust body said Tuesday BT Group anticipated 12.5 billion pound acquisition of EE Ltd., will result in less competition given that they are the largest suppliers of fixed and mobile communications services in the UK.

The Competition and Markets Authority has therefore decided to fast-track the deal for further investigation.

“We have found that there is a real risk that the merger could reduce their incentives to supply these inputs and that this could have a detrimental impact on the retail mobile market,” Andrea Coscelli, CMA Executive Director of Markets and Mergers and decision-maker in the case, said.

The CMA has invited third parties to present their views on the merger during the phase 2 investigation, which will be overseen by a group of independent panel members. No timetable has been disclosed for the investigation.

Full content: The Financial Times

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