Telkom takes Vodacom, Rain to the Competition Tribunal

Telkom said on Wednesday that it has approached the Competition Tribunal, seeking to have the spectrum arrangements between Vodacom and Rain declared a merger and therefore notifiable in terms of the Competition Act.

“Telkom contends that the merger is notifiable because the multiple agreements between Vodacom and Rain grant Vodacom use and control over the deployment of Rain’s spectrum, including the planning, roll-out, maintenance and service of its radio access network,” Telkom said in a statement.

Telkom group executive for regulatory affairs and government relations Siyabonga Mahlangu said Vodacom’s “ability to control Rain’s spectrum entrenches its position as a dominant player in a highly concentrated market”.

“It is important that the effects of spectrum arrangements on competition are scrutinised,” Mahlangu said. This is particularly so “in light of the upcoming spectrum auction which will set the ground for the nature of competition in the mobile market for the foreseeable future”.  — (c) 2020 NewsCentral Media

• This is a developing story … check back soon for more