The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has announced that it will not oppose Vocus Communication Limited’s (Vocus) (ASX: VOC) proposed acquisition of M2 Group Limited (M2) (ASX: MTU).
Vocus and M2 have limited overlaps in the supply of retail and wholesale fixed broadband services; the supply of retail and wholesale fixed voice services; the acquisition of transmission services and the supply of data centre services.
In markets where Vocus and M2 overlap, they tend to focus on different customer segments, with M2 mainly focused on residential and small business customers and Vocus mainly focused on large enterprise and government customers.
Neither Vocus nor M2 are significant suppliers of wholesale transmission services. Accordingly, the proposed acquisition will not significantly increase vertical integration between wholesale and retail telecommunications services providers.
“The ACCC concluded that this was primarily a merger between two complementary businesses. Significantly, the merged firm will also face significant competition from Optus, Telstra and TPG. This merger consolidates the fourth player in the market,” ACCC Chairman Rod Sims said.
Vocus provides a range of data and voice services to customers utilising its own, and third party, networks.
M2 supplies telecommunications services to customers through its Dodo, iPrimus, Commander and Engin brands, and is primarily retail focused. It supplies telecommunications services to retail customers.