Israel’s Anti-Trust Authority has officially notified Netvision that it is opposed to the company’s proposed acquisition of the stake in HOT Cable Systems currently held by Bank Leumi.
The authority believes the deal would represent a restraint of trade. Although Netvision could apply to the authority for an exemption it seems unlikely that this will happen.
Were the deal to go ahead the number of telecommunications players in the Israeli market would be reduced. There is particular concern over the knock on effects on the mobile telephony market, given that HOT would then be unlikely to apply for status as a Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO).
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