Deutsche Telekom says EU raises concerns over Tele2's Dutch deal

FILE PHOTO: Deutsche Telekom logo is seen during preparations at the CeBit computer fair in Hanover, Germany, March 18, 2017. REUTERS/Fabian Bimmer/File Photo
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Fabian Bimmer(Reuters)
FRANKFURT (Reuters) – Deutsche Telekom <DTEGn.DE> said on Thursday that the European Commission had raised competition concerns about the effect of its planned purchase of the Dutch operations of Sweden’s Tele2 <TEL2b.ST> on the mobile retail market.
“The Commission is arguing that the combination of number 3 (T-Mobile NL) and number 4 (Tele2 NL) is likely to lead to price increases,” Deutsche Telekom said in a statement, adding the companies involved disagreed with the Commission’s concerns.
It said the companies would continue a constructive dialogue with the Commission and that they remained confident that the merger would be approved towards the end of the year.
(Reporting by Maria Sheahan; editing by Thomas Seythal)