The acquisition of Base by Telenet and the subsequent sale by Base of its 50% stake in VikingCo NV to Medialaan have taken place.
Both transactions were completed following the approval of the Belgian Competition Authority and the European Commission, on January 28 and February 4, 2016, respectively.
Telenet now owns a complete nationwide mobile network alongside its cable network in Flanders.
On February 4, 2016, Telenet announced that the European Commission had approved its planned acquisition of Base. Based on this approval, Telenet and Koninklijke KPN N.V. proceeded to implement their agreement for the acquisition of Base by Telenet for €1,325 million.
In light of the European Commission’s approval and following the Belgian Competition Authority’s approval, BAase then sold its 50% stake in VikingCo, the entity that operates the Mobile Vikings brand in Belgium, to Mediaan (the company that owns the VTM TVnetworks) immediately after the acquisition. Medialaan has also gained control of the other 50% of shares in VikingCo, and has thereby become the sole owner of Mobile Vikings’ customer base. VikingCo now operates as a ‘light MVNO’ on the Base network.
Last year, Telenet also signed an agreement with Medialaan to transfer the entire JIM Mobile customer base to Medialaan, at the latest within two years. T
