By Robin van Daalen
AMSTERDAM--Dutch telecommunications firm Royal KPN NV (KPN.AE)
said Friday the Dutch broadband market should be deregulated after
European Union authorities approved a EUR10 billion ($12.7 billion)
acquisition of Dutch cable operator Ziggo NV (ZIGGO.AE) by Liberty
Global PLC (LBTYA).
The combination of Ziggo and UPC, Liberty Global's Dutch cable
operator, "doesn't have to allow access to its networks, despite a
share of around 44% of the Dutch broadband market," KPN said,
adding it believes the decision should result in deregulation of
the broadband market.
Under Dutch regulations, KPN is required to allow third parties
to offer services over its network as it is the only provider with
nationwide broadband coverage. The combination of Ziggo and UPC
reaches about 90% of Dutch homes.
Earlier Friday, Liberty Global won approval for its acquisition
of Ziggo, subject the sale of its Film1 pay TV channel and the
removal of clauses in its agreements with broadcasters that limit
their ability to offer content over the Internet.
Write to Robin van Daalen at Robin.VanDaalen@wsj.com
Subscribe to WSJ: http://online.wsj.com?mod=djnwires