Numericable-SFR moves swiftly to placate regulator over Outremer charges

Numericable-SFR has moved swiftly to head off a possible reversal of the French competition regulator’s previous approval of cable operator Numericable’s acquisition of SFR after concerns were raised that the group was seeking to undermine its own subsidiary in two French overseas territories ahead of a forced sale of the unit. 

Numericable had been obliged to dispose of its Réunion and Mayotte subsidiary Outremer Telecom as a condition of the French deal going ahead. However, ahead of the sale of the unit, it was accused of imposing dramatic price increases on Outremer’s services in a possible bid to drive its customers to SFR’s local subsidiary, which the joint group will retain.

Numericable-SFR has now reversed the price increases it imposed earlier in order to assuage the regulator’s concerns.

Outremer’s subscribers will be reimbursed for extra charges incurred during January.