Brussels fears Orange and MásMóvil merger could lead to ‘large price hikes’

Brussels fears a merger between telecommunication giants Orange and MásMóvil could lead to an increase in prices for customers in Spain.

The European Commission warned this Tuesday 27 June that the merger will create competition problems, and fears a reduction in the number of network operators in the Spanish retail mobile and internet markets.

This conclusion follows an in-depth investigation that started last April to determine whether the deal would jeopardise competition in the supply of bundled network services and mobile and fixed broadband in Spain.

“The expected anti-competitive effects are substantial, even taking into account possible cost…