KPN gets approval to obtain some fibre assets

Royal KPN NV has secured approval to acquire some of the fiber-optic broadband network assets in its plans but other deals will require further investigation, the Dutch cartel office said Friday.

The cartel office, the Nederlandse Mededingingsautoriteit, or NMa, has given the Dutch telecoms company the green light to acquire companies owned by Reggefiber, in which it already has a 41% minority stake.

But the office said KPN's planned acquisition of assets owned by Reggeborgh requires further investigation, given that such transactions could give KPN too strong a position in the fiber-optic network market, which may stifle competition.

KPN said late last year it wanted to buy assets from Reggefiber and Reggeborgh to strengthen its position in the fiber-to-the-home market.

Earlier this week, KPN said it won't acquire Dutch cable service provider Caiway from Rabo Bouwfonds' Communication Infrastructure Fund as NMa had too many objections to the deal.

April 17, 2012

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