The European Commission (EC) recently issued their approval for Orange Business to buyout its joint venture partner in Spanish operator MasOrange, stating there were no competition concerns raised by the move.
Having assessed the proposed €4.3 billion deal using its simplified merger review procedure, which is used for cases deemed unlikely to be problematic, the regulator concluded the change in ownership would have limited impact on the market structure in Spain.
Orange signed a binding agreement with JV partner Lorca in December 2025 and subsequently filed the case with the EC in March.
On inking the buyout agreement, Orange positioned it as demonstrating a long-term commitment to the market.
MasOrange was formed from the merger of Orange Spain and Lorca-owned Masmovil in 2024. Lorca is owned by a group of investors including KKR, Cinven and Providence Equity Partners.
Competition changes
Clearance of the Orange deal was announced alongside the nod for Telecom Italia’s sale of Sparkle and a raft of other notices in the regulator’s daily briefing on the 13th of April 2026.
Within that spate of notifications, the EC announced it would bolster its competition department with the appointment of long-term employee Anthony Whelan as director-general for competition effective at a date still to be confirmed.
The EC noted “with over 30 years of professional experience, Mr Whelan brings extensive expertise in competition and internal market policy, underpinned by a strong strategic coordination, and interinstitutional engagement”.
He will work alongside competition commissioner Teresa Ribera.
Source: Mobile World Live
Image Credit: European Commission
Source: Tahawul Tech