Vodafone cleared to acquire radio spectrum rights

Media Release
Issued 15 12 2008 /no 110

Vodafone cleared to acquire radio spectrum management rights

The Commerce Commission has cleared Vodafone Mobile NZ Limited (Vodafone) to acquire the management rights from the New Zealand Government for the radio frequency range between 899.8 and 915 MHz, together with the corresponding natural pair management rights in the 944.8 – 960 MHz range.

The acquisition relates to the renewal of the majority of Vodafone’s 900 MHz management rights. As part of the renewal process, Vodafone is selling a block of its 900 MHz rights to NZ Communications. The Commission considers that the sale of this block is likely to enhance competition in the wholesale and retail markets for the supply of mobile telecommunications services.

Commerce Commission Chair Paula Rebstock said that the Commission was satisfied that the proposed acquisition will not have, or would not be likely to have, the effect of substantially lessening competition in any of the relevant markets.

Public versions of the written reasons for the decision will be available as soon as practicable on the Commission’s website, www.comcom.govt.nz, under Public Registers.

ENDS

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