The Commerce Commission has received an application from Vodafone New Zealand Limited seeking clearance to acquire TelstraClear Limited. Under the terms of the proposed acquisition, Vodafone will acquire 100% of the shares and/or assets of TelstraClear from Telstra Corporation Limited.

Vodafone is a mobile phone operator in New Zealand and has a nationwide network servicing its mobile retail customers, as well as wholesaling mobile services to other providers. In addition, Vodafone offers a range of fixed line services to residential and business customers.

TelstraClear offers a range of predominantly fixed line services to residential and business customers throughout New Zealand. In addition to its fixed line products, TelstraClear also offers cable TV, mobile (through a wholesale agreement with Vodafone) and backhaul services.

In considering the application, the Commission's role is to determine whether the acquisition would harm competition in the market, to the extent that there would be a substantial lessening of competition.

A public version of the application is available on the Commission's website at www.comcom.govt.nz/clearances-register

Background

A fact sheet explaining how the Commission assesses mergers and acquisitions is available at www.comcom.govt.nz/merger-assessment