R1bn telecoms deal referred back to CompComm

The Competition Tribunal has referred back to the Competition Commission (CompComm) the cases involving the sale of Altech Autopage’s subscriber bases to telecommunications giants MTN, Vodacom and Cell C for some R1-billion, asking the commission for further investigation, after certain concerns were raised by Saicon Holdings in relation to the proposed transaction between Altech Autopage and Cell C. This after the tribunal said it had become clear during the hearing, held on Wednesday, that the commission had not spoken to certain clusters of customers that may be affected by the proposed deal.