Tiscali takeover moves one step closer
Tiscali takeover moves one step closer
By Noel Mellor (Tue, 30th June 2009)
The Carphone Warehouse's acquisition of Tiscali UK has moved another step closer towards being completed this week after it was unveiled the European Commission had confirmed its approval.
In May this year, it was announced TalkTak, the broadband services provider owned by the mobile phone retailer, had safeguarded the Tiscali service and would begin integrating the company's customer base.
The deal was reportedly worth around £236 million and would lead to the creation of the largest firm of its kind housing some 4.25 million customers - the equivalent of 25 per cent of the UK market.
Following a period of review, the European Union has now confirmed the creation of such a joint organisation would not threaten to monopolise the sector and does not breach merger regulations.
Currently, Tiscali offers a range of products including fixed-line telephone, internet and digital TV. The Carphone Warehouse, on the other hand, is more involved with the high street mobile sector.
The commission explained the acquisition "would not significantly impede effective competition in the European economic area or any substantial part of it" and would create a merged company that would become "one of the main competitors to the incumbent operator BT".
Also this week, TalkTalk revealed it had appointed David Cooper to the role of chief information officer, reporting to managing director Wendy Becker.
Mr Cooper will take control of the group's IT systems which are used to manage its customer service and billing procedures.
"TalkTalk is a very exciting, dynamic company with huge ambitions. I'm looking forward to the challenge of ensuring its IT systems are the best in class," the new appointee commented.
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