Brussels, 19/02/2001 (Agence Europe) - On 16 February, considering that the operation did not raise any competition problems, the European Commission authorised British Telecom (BT) to acquire the 45% stake held by E.ON in VIAG Interkom. The Commission's approval allows BT to acquire exclusive control of the German telecommunications company.
VIAG Interkom is a German services and fixed and mobile telecommunications infrastructures provider. The company is currently Germany's fourth largest fixed telephony operator. Before the operation authorised on Friday by the Commission, its capital was held by BT and VIAG (which recently merged with VEBA to give rise to E.ON), which both held 45%, and by the Norwegian telecommunications operator Telenor As (10%). BT acquired Telenor's stake in December 2000. The deal cleared by the Commission will allow BT to acquire the remaining 45% held in VIAG Interkom and to thus hold sole control.
The inquiry carried out by the Commission showed that the operation does not give rise to any competition problem, in so far as it will not cause a rise in market share. Also, it would not produce any foreclosure effects in Germany or Great Britain.