Telenor Acquisition: Delay in CCP’s Decision May Impact 5G Launch
Deal News | Jan 09, 2025 | EIN
The acquisition of Telenor Pakistan by PTCL faces a potential delay due to the pending approval from the Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP). This delay threatens the government's timeline for launching 5G by April 2025. The National Economic Research Associates (NERA), an international consultancy firm, highlighted the ongoing litigation concerning the availability of the 194 MHz band, crucial for LTE/4G and 5G, as a compounding issue. The Regulatory process, which includes approval from multiple bodies such as the PTA, SECP, and SBP, could extend the acquisition timeline by one to two months post-CCP decision. The timeline set involves detailed steps including the presentation of NERA's report, advisory committee considerations, government approval on various auction-related aspects, publication of the Information Memorandum, and eventually the auction. If all goes per plan without further legal obstructions, the auction and subsequent spectrum award payment could proceed within 30 days after the auction.
Sectors
- Telecommunications
- Regulatory Affairs
Geography
- Pakistan – The article is centered around telecommunications developments and regulatory decisions within Pakistan, specifically focusing on the acquisition of Telenor Pakistan by PTCL.
Industry
- Telecommunications – The article discusses the telecommunications industry in Pakistan, focusing on the acquisition of Telenor by PTCL and its implications on the rollout of 5G services.
- Regulatory Affairs – The article highlights the involvement of the Competition Commission of Pakistan and other regulatory bodies, whose decisions are crucial for the progression of the acquisition and subsequent 5G rollout.
Financials
Participants
| Name | Role | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Telenor Pakistan | Target Company | Company | A mobile network operator in Pakistan that is the subject of an acquisition by PTCL. |
| Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL) | Bidding Company | Company | The telecommunications company looking to acquire Telenor Pakistan. |
| Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) | Regulatory Authority | Government | A regulatory body responsible for approving the acquisition of Telenor Pakistan by PTCL. |
| National Economic Research Associates (NERA) | Consultancy | Company | An international consultancy firm hired to advise on the spectrum auction process in Pakistan. |
| Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) | Regulatory Authority | Government | A government body involved in the regulation and approval process for telecommunications in Pakistan. |
| Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) | Regulatory Authority | Government | A regulatory body that will provide approvals post-CCP decision for the acquisition to proceed. |
| State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) | Regulatory Authority | Government | A government authority that needs to approve PTCL's acquisition of Telenor post-CCP decision. |