German cable operator association FRK rejects the concessions proposed by Vodafone to the European Commission to secure approval of its planned acquisition of Unitymedia from Liberty Global.
The move resembles a “cheap diversion manoeuvre” which would not solve, but further increase the competition problems raised through the merger, criticises FRK.
The exclusive wholesale agreement between Vodafone and Telefónica would not meet the repeated demands of opening the cable network for interested third parties, stressed FRK chairman Heinz-Peter Labonte.
Labonte also criticizes that Vodafone only offers up to 300Mbps internet speed to Telefónica while providing 1Gbps to its own customers. “True open access looks different and has nothing to do with Vodafone’s proposed measures,” he said.
Labonte also announced that FRK would affirm its rejection of the planned takeover in its next submission to the European Commission by May 15, 2019.
