Posted: 24th Jul, 2007 By: MarkJ
The
Times reports that the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) is to probe Tiscali's recent £210m acquisition of
Pipex's broadband customers:
If it is unhappy the trade watchdog could impose certain conditions on the merger. Ultimately it could refer the deal on to the Competition Commission.
Pipex, which is chaired by the internet millionaire Peter Dubens, announced two weeks ago that it had reached agreement to sell off its one million consumer and small business voice and broadband base to its Italian rival.
Interestingly Tiscali and
Pipex volunteered themselves for the investigation, which could potentially delay their deal. Meanwhile the OFT will be taking comments until 17th August next month, although we doubt any of this can prevent the sale.