The European Commission on Friday reiterated its concerns over Microsoft Corp.'s plans to buy MediaOne Group Inc.'s 29.7 percent stake in British cable company Telewest Communications.
Published:
30 May 2000 y., Tuesday
A statement of objections is a legal document setting out the EU antitrust watchdog's competition concerns and asking the companies involved to offer concessions to address them. Microsoft has requested a hearing to put across its arguments why the deal should be cleared. European Competition Commissioner Mario Monti said on March 22 that he had opened a four-month probe into Microsoft's plan, highlighting concerns about reduced competition in various areas of the digital cable industry. He said there were concerns in particular about the provision of software for digital set-top boxes in Britain and its impact for the choice of British cable subscribers. Monti also said he was worried the deal would strengthen Telewest's existing position as an exclusive supplier of cable services to customers within its franchise area, and undertakings already offered by the companies had been insufficient to ease these concerns.
Telewest, which does not currently use Microsoft technology in its set-top boxes, said it welcomed Microsoft as a potential shareholder. The investigation comes as Microsoft faces the possibility of being split up after being found guilty in the United States of breaking antitrust laws.
Copying, publishing, announcing any information from the News.lt portal without written permission of News.lt editorial office is prohibited.
The most popular articles
During the meeting, which took place on 3 September 2009 the Bank of Lithuania approved the transaction, according to which AB Bank SNORAS will acquire 100 percent of the shares of AB “Finasta įmonių finansai” owning AB bank “Finasta”.
more »
The European Commission tabled yesterday its proposal on fishing possibilities for fish stocks in the Baltic Sea for 2010.
more »
Members of the Civil Liberties Committee voiced concern on Thursday over the interim agreement under negotiation between the EU and the United States on data transfers via the SWIFT network.
more »
Consumers in Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Romania and Slovenia now have access to consumer magazines and websites, which provide independent, comparative testing of consumer products, following a three-year EU project co-financed by the European Commission.
more »
Funds management company “SNORAS Asset Management” will establish the first alternative investment fund in Lithuania - “SAM Renewable Energy Fund”.
more »
The re-launched Lisbon Partnership for growth and jobs has put innovation and entrepreneurship at the centre and called for decisive and more coherent action by the Community and the Member States in view of mastering the shift towards knowledge based low carbon economy.
more »
Helping dairy farmers now, as well as restructuring the dairy sector in the long run, is the way out of the current milk market crisis, Agriculture Committee MEPs told Agriculture Commissioner Mariann Fischer Boel in a debate on Tuesday.
more »
The EU is phasing out traditional light bulbs over the next three years in favour of a new generation of energy-efficient lighting.
more »
Lithuania increases the VAT rate from 19 % to 21 % from September 1, 2009.
more »
Two recent joint missions from three development finance institutions helped Thailand identify low carbon projects that could be eligible for Clean Technology Fund financing.
more »