Proximus possible abusive acquisition (pending case)

The Belgian competition authority launched an investigation into a possible abuse of dominance by incumbent telecoms operator Proximus, which is in the process of acquiring alternative fixed operator Edpnet. According to the authority, the acquisition might constitute an infringement of article 102 TFEU, in light of a recent ruling by the EU Court of Justice.

MasMovil/Ahí+ merger 2022

Update: The Spanish competition authority opened proceedings against MasMovil for allegedly providing incomplete, incorrect, misleading or false information to the authority in 2022 during its investigation of whether the company had to notify its acquisition of Ahí+, a group of local telecoms operators.

Orange Belgium/VOO and Brutélé merger 2023

Update: The European Commission conditionally cleared Orange’s acquisition of Belgian cable operators VOO and Brutélé following an in-depth phase II merger control investigation. To secure clearance, Orange undertook to provide Telenet wholesale access to VOO and Brutélé’s cable networks as well as to the future fibre network which it plans to roll out in the coming years.

Explainer: EU General Block Exemption Regulation

The General Block Exemption Regulation (GBER) exempts member states from notifying to the European Commission certain categories of aid that comply with conditions which ensure the aid’s compatibility with the EU internal market. This report summarises the GBER’s updated provisions on broadband state aid, which are pending the Commission’s formal approval and entry into force.

Social vouchers for high-speed broadband take-up by low-income households in Spain 2022

The European Commission approved under EU state aid rules a €30m social voucher scheme helping low-income households to subscribe or upgrade to high-speed broadband of at least 30 Mbps.

Proposed state aid for 5G standalone network infrastructure in Spain

The Ministry for Economic Affairs and Digital Transformation is consulting until 18 March 2023 on a proposed state aid scheme to support the deployment of active and passive elements of 5G standalone networks in rural areas of Spain.