Netherlands

[NL] Dutch Competition Authority Examines the Creation of one of the Largest Cable Operators in Europe

IRIS 1998-5:1/18

Nico van Eijk

Institute for Information Law (IViR), University of Amsterdam

The Dutch Competition Authority (Nma, Nederlandse mededingingsauthoriteit) will investigate the intended merger of United Pan-Europe Communications NV (UPC) and the cable activities of Energy company NV NUON in the newly established joint-venture United Telekabel Holding NV. The new Competition Act stipulates that mergers need to obtain approval when the total returns/sales/volume of trade world-wide exceed(s) 250 million Dutch guilders and at least two of the companies involved have a net annual volume of business within the Netherlands of at least 30 million guilders. The proposed merger will create the biggest operator of cable television systems in the Netherlands (and one of the largest independent operators in Europe) with about 1.3 million households connected, including the connections of A2000 in which is UPC and US West collaborate. UPC also holds cable-interests in other countries of Europe.