Hungarian merger scuppered

By Chris Dziadul

August 11, 2009 07.28 UK

The Hungarian Competition Authority (GVH) has ruled against Magyar Telekom’s proposed take-over of ViDaNet.

In its view, the move would effectively give the incumbent telco a monopoly in the provision of cable and internet services in the 20 towns and cities in which ViDaNet operates.

The proposed deal was announced last December and almost immediately referred to the GVH.

Magyar Telekom is the second largest cable operator in Hungary after UPC and also operates IPTV and DTH platforms.