EU Commission considers probe of Liberty Global offer for Ziggo
THE EUROPEAN Commission could examine Liberty Global’s planned €6.9bn (£5.8bn) takeover of Dutch cable operator Ziggo, the antitrust authority announced yesterday.
The deal, if it completes, would turn Liberty into a telecoms giant in the Netherlands due to its ownership of the second largest cable operator UPC.
“The proposed transaction will create a near national cable company in the Netherlands, able to invest, operate and advertise in enhanced competition with national players,” the European Commission said yesterday.
The Commission has until 23 April to decide whether to approve the deal or launch an investigation, said a Commission spokesperson.
Liberty Global’s proposed Ziggo acquisition is the latest by Liberty’s US media mogul owner John Malone into the European telecoms industry.