EU launches antitrust probe into France's Orange bid for Jazztel

Brussels

THE EU on Thursday launched an in-depth probe into a US$4.2 billion acquisition of Spanish telco Jazztel by French giant Orange to see if it distorts the market and undercuts customer choice.

The deal would cut the number of telecoms companies in Spain to three from four, the Commission said, warning of a "significant loss of competitive pressure for fixed Internet access services and fixed-mobile multiple play offers", both key markets.