Press Release: Mergers: Commission clears Belgian m-commerce joint venture by Belgacom and BNP Paribas Fortis

The European Commission on 11 October 2013 cleared under the EU Merger Regulation the creation of a joint venture between the Belgian telecommunications operator Belgacom and the bank BNP Paribas Fortis. The joint venture will allow consumers in Belgium to use their mobile devices to purchase goods or services, redeem coupons, or use their loyalty cards when visiting the mobile application of participating merchants. The Commission concluded that the proposed transaction would not raise any competition concerns, in particular because the joint venture will face several credible actual or potential competitors in this growing market.