Proposed acquisition by NTL Incorporated of part of the business of Cable & Wireless Communications Plc

United Kingdom

Stephen Byers, the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, has decided to refer the proposed acquisition by NTL Incorporated (NTL) of part of the business of Cable & Wireless Communications Plc (CWC) to the Competition Commission under the provisions of the Fair Trading Act 1973. The Director General of Fair Trading advised against referral of this transaction to the CC. However, Mr Byers considered that the acquisition raises sufficient concerns in respect of the market in the delivery of Pay-TV Services to warrant such a reference. Mr Byers has expressed concern about the possible effects on the market for the delivery of Pay-TV Services of the reduction in the number of cable operators from three to two. (DTI Press Release P/99/921)