UPDATE The Republic of Ireland’s Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) announced that it will carry out a full Phase 2 investigation into the proposed purchase of Cellnex (MC: CLNX) Ireland by Phoenix Tower International (PTI). Under Irish competition law, the CCPC must assess certain mergers and acquisitions to guard against harmful effects on competition. In doing so, the CCPC considers the potential impact of mergers and acquisitions on consumers, such as changes to price, consumer choice, quality and innovation.
CCPC was notified of the proposed transaction in March 2024. Following a preliminary examination, the CCPC has decided an in-depth investigation is needed to establish whether the proposed transaction will result in a substantial lessening of competition in the State.
Irish independent tower companies’ customers include the mobile network operators (Three, eir, and Vodafone), wireless broadband network operators, and public safety and emergency services.
CCPC data shows that Cellnex Ireland operates 1,720 macro sites and 173 real estate-only sites in the country.
PTI also already operates in Ireland, having entered the country in 2020, when it acquired about 650 towers from MNO eir, Inside Towers reported.
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