AGCM

PRESS RELEASE

CONDITIONAL GREEN LIGHT FOR THE ACQUISITION OF CONTROL OF SEAT/PAGINE GIALLE BY LIBERO

The Italian Antitrust Authority has issued a conditional authorization to the acquisition of sole control of Seat-Pagine Gialle by Libero. The action concerns markets in the field of information services linked via telephone (directory assistance), online advertising, direct marketing services and the provision of web services. With regard in particular to the market for directory assistance, the acquisition involves the integration between the two main operators: the measures determined by the Antitrust Authority, therefore, tend to avoid the creation in this field of dominant positions that restrict competition.

The condition that was imposed consists in the transfer to independent third parties, at market conditions, of numbering in use for service provision regarding directory assistance. By virtue of this measure of a structural nature, the effects of the overlap of activities of the buyer will be neutralized with those of the company Seat. The measure, in fact, is appropriate to allow an actual or potential competitor to exercise competitive pressure that is similar to that currently attributable to the numbering that is the subject of the transfer.

Rome, 12 November 2015