Anti-trust regulators at the European Union have rejected the request on grounds that they were more qualified to deal with the case.
“Given its extensive experience in assessing cases in this sector, it is better placed to deal with the transaction and ensure consistency in the application of merger control rules in the fixed and mobile telecommunications sectors across the European Economic Area,” the Commission said.
France’s Orange and Jazztel agreed the acquisition inSeptember last year and requested EU anti-trust approval in October.
EU authorities are launching a further investigation intothe potential deal, amid concerns that it will damage competition in Spain.
