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ARTICLE · 29 NOVEMBER 2016

Record-Breaking Fine For Gun-Jumping Imposed By The French Competition Authority

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On November 8, 2016, the FCA imposed the highest "gun-jumping" national and worldwide fine ever, €80 million, on Altice-Numericable, a major French telecommunications operator, in relation to its 2014 acquisitions of SFR and OTL.

FranceAntitrust/Competition Law
Antitrust Watch
Antitrust Watch
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On November 8, 2016, the French Competition Authority ("FCA") imposed the highest "gun-jumping" national and worldwide fine ever, €80 million, on Altice-Numericable, a major French telecommunications operator, in relation to its 2014 acquisitions of SFR ("Société Française du Radiotéléphone") and OTL ("Omer Telecom Limited").

"This is a world first decision when considering the amount of the sanction and the seriousness of the circumstances," commented Isabelle de Silva, the President of the FCA since last October.

"The FCA is really concerned about delivering its merger decisions within an extremely short timeframe. There is no justification for companies to bypass the phase of antitrust analysis," commented Bruno Lasserre, former President of the FCA.

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