Vodafone’s proposed acquisition of Kabel Deutschland will be investigated by Germany’s competition watchdog, it has been confirmed.
However, it is unclear whether the Bundeskartellamt will take on the task itself or if the investigation will take place at EU level.
A €7.7 billion offer from Vodafone was last week accepted by Kabel Deutschland.
Transactions within the German cable sector have in the past come under close examination from the authorities. Kabel Deutschland’s proposed purchase of Tele Columbus came under the microscope, as did the purchase by Liberty Global’s Unity Media of Kabel BW.
Liberty is not completely out of the frame as a suitor for Kabel Deutschland, but Bundeskartellamt Andreas Mundt indicated yesterday that such a purchase would spark a full investigation.
