Portugal’s Competition Authority (AdC) is expected to reject plans by Vodafone Portugal to purchase its local rival Nowo.
Local media reports that stakeholders were notified last Friday with an official announcement expected shortly.
A draft decision will say that despite a series of remedies proposed by Vodafone, the British-owned operator failed to demonstrate a merger would not have a negative effect on competition.
Vodafone says it disagrees with the decision, which if confirmed, it says would make the acquisition of Nowo unfeasible. It had wanted to drop the Nowo brand in some parts of Portugal, arguing such a move would reduce competitive pressure.
The proposed merger was first notified to AdC in November 2022 following the announcement of the proposed merger the previous September.