EC likely to approve 3-Wind merger

The European Commission (EC) is likely to clear the proposed merger between the Italian subsidiaries of CK Hutchison and VimpelCom. According to a report from Reuters, which cites two people familiar with the matter, the EUR21.8 billion (USD24 billion) tie-up between 3 Italia and Wind Telecomunicazioni is set to get the regulator go-ahead after the pair agreed a deal last week to sell spare spectrum and mobile towers to French telco Iliad. The entry of new player Iliad will ensure that the Italian mobile market continues with four network operators, allaying EC fears that competition and consumer choice could be harmed by the merger. The Commission’s competition watchdog is due to make a decision on the deal by 8 September.