Zon-Optimus merger green light
August 27, 2013
From Branislav Pekic in Rome
Portugal’s Competition Authority has issued a final decision, stating its agreement to the merger between triple-play provider Zon Multimedia and mobile telephony operator Optimus. The decision confirms the draft decision that includes the commitments made by both parties.
Among other things, Optimus will extend the duration of the network sharing agreement with Vodafone Portugal; Optimus will not charge its triple play FTTH customers loyalty clause penalties in the event of a request for service disconnection during a period of 6 months; and Optimus will negotiate an agreement, under non-discriminatory terms, with third parties that request wholesale access to its FTTH network, for a minimum period of 5 years. In addition, Optimus will enter into a call option agreement with Vodafone Portugal for the purchase of Optimus’ FTTH network located in the metropolitan areas of Lisbon and Oporto.
The merger will create synergies of €400 million and will result in a unified operator with revenues of €1.6 billion and a market share of around 30 per cent.