According to a provisional investigation by the Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP), the proposed acquisition of Telenor Pakistan (Private) Limited (TP) and Orion Towers Private Limited (OT) by Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL) might result in a significant reduction of competition within the telecom sector.
The acquisition of Warid Telecom (Private) Limited by Pakistan Mobile Telecommunications Limited in 2016 decreased the number of network operators. With the proposed merger, one of the remaining four players would also be removed from the industry.
CCP is worried that this reduction in competition could lead to increased prices or diminished options or quality for customers. Consequently, the transaction will undergo a comprehensive Phase 2 analysis.
