Swiss regulator ComCom has given its approval to Xavier Niel’s planned takeover of Orange Switzerland.
"Neither the licence conditions nor competition in the mobile telephony market will be adversely affected by this takeover," ComCom, or the Swiss Federal Communications Commission, said in a statement late last week.
Doubtless the deal sailed through the regulatory process since it does not involve multiple operators.
French businessman Niel agreed to acquire Orange Switzerland – via his NJJ Capital investment vehicle – from Apax Partners late last year for 2.8 billion Swiss francs (€2.3 billion). Apax bought the unit from Orange group three years ago after the French firm deemed it a non-core asset.
Specifically, ComCom has given the green light for the transfer of Orange’s spectrum licences to Xavier Niel.
The parties involved in the deal applied for the regulator’s permission to transfer the licences in January and, after an investigation, ComCom ruled that the move will not impact on competition and that Orange Switzerland will continue to comply with the conditions of the licences.
