Competition watchdog clears €971m telecoms infrastructure deal

Legally binding commitments proposed by Phoenix and approved “were substantial in scale and scope”, according to the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC).

The acquisition was originally notified in March 2024 to the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) who launched an in-depth investigation into the deal.

Telecoms infrastructure company Phoenix Tower International will be allowed to acquire rival company Cellnex Ireland, subject to legally binding commitments, in what is one of the largest-value mergers ever reviewed by the competition watchdog.

In Ireland, both companies own and manage portfolios of macro passive network infrastructure sites which includes the towers and masts which are critical infrastructure for mobile network operators. Mobile operators fix active network equipment to this infrastructure including their antennae and dishes which are used to connect with users.