11 April 2022

The European Commission (EC) has cleared the acquisition of UPC Poland by French telecommunications group Iliad from Liberty Global, saying the purchase would not raise competition concerns.

Explaining its decision, the executive branch of the European Union said it will see only minor overlaps in the selling of mobile, broadband, audio-visual services and multi-play services.

The acquisition of Warsaw-based UPC is part of Iliad’s plans to bolster its position in Poland.

Additionally, the acquisition will not stifle access to the wholesale mobile network market, says the EC.
Iliad and Liberty Global struck the purchase agreement in September 2021 for the sum of zł7bn (US$1.6 bn).

The French firm only entered the Polish market in 2020 when Iliad acquired the country’s second-largest operator Play. UPC Poland will be made into a subsidiary of Play once the acquisition is complete.