United Group seeks antitrust nod to buy Bulgaria's Bulsatcom

More specifically, United Group is seeking clearance to take direct control of Bulsatcom owner Viva Corporate Bulgaria, the Commission on Protection of Competition (CPC) said in a notice on Friday.

The notified transaction is expected to potentially affect the local markets for retail fixed Internet access, wholesale and retail television broadcasting, fixed voice telephony, and satellite services. Third parties will be able submit comments on the planned deal within seven days, the CPC said.

In Bulgaria, United Group owns telecoms operator Vivacom and Nova Broadcasting Group.

Last week, Vivacom rival A1 Bulgaria called on the CPC to intervene in what it sees as an unprecedented consolidation in the media and telecoms market in the country.

Viva Corporate took over Bulsatcom in 2021. The CPC last year opened an investigation into the acquisition following complaints from A1 Bulgaria and local telecoms operator Yettel Bulgaria.