# C_2006055EN.01005201.xml

| 7.3.2006 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 55/52 |
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7.3.2006

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 55/52

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Prior notification of a concentration

(Case COMP/M.4169 — Virgin/CPW/JV)

Candidate case for simplified procedure

(2006/C 55/16)

(Text with EEA relevance)

| 1. | On 24 February 2006, the Commission received a notification of a proposed concentration pursuant to Article 4 of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (1) by which the undertakings Bluebottle UK Limited, belonging to the Virgin Group (‘Virgin’, UK) and The Carphone Warehouse Limited (‘CPW’, UK) acquire within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) of the Council Regulation joint control of a newly created company constituting a joint venture, Omer Telecom Limited (‘JV Co’, UK) by way of contribution of assets and transfer of shares. |
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1.

On 24 February 2006, the Commission received a notification of a proposed concentration pursuant to Article 4 of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (1) by which the undertakings Bluebottle UK Limited, belonging to the Virgin Group (‘Virgin’, UK) and The Carphone Warehouse Limited (‘CPW’, UK) acquire within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) of the Council Regulation joint control of a newly created company constituting a joint venture, Omer Telecom Limited (‘JV Co’, UK) by way of contribution of assets and transfer of shares.

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| 2. | The business activities of the undertakings concerned are:






  — | for Virgin: provides mobile telephony services as an mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) in UK and several countries outside Europe and is globally active in operating airline services (Virgin Atlantic), music retail stores (Virgin Megastores), bridal wear stores (Virgin Brides) etc.; |
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2.

The business activities of the undertakings concerned are:

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for Virgin: provides mobile telephony services as an mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) in UK and several countries outside Europe and is globally active in operating airline services (Virgin Atlantic), music retail stores (Virgin Megastores), bridal wear stores (Virgin Brides) etc.;

| — | for CPW: provision and sale of mobile telecommunications services and products in Europe, the provision of fixed line telecommunication services in France; |
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for CPW: provision and sale of mobile telecommunications services and products in Europe, the provision of fixed line telecommunication services in France;

| — | for JV Co: provision of mobile telephony services as an MVNO in France. |
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for JV Co: provision of mobile telephony services as an MVNO in France.

| 3. | On preliminary examination, the Commission finds that the notified transaction could fall within the scope of Regulation (EC) No 139/2004. However, the final decision on this point is reserved. Pursuant to the Commission Notice on a simplified procedure for treatment of certain concentrations under Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (2) it should be noted that this case is a candidate for treatment under the procedure set out in the Notice. |
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3.

On preliminary examination, the Commission finds that the notified transaction could fall within the scope of Regulation (EC) No 139/2004. However, the final decision on this point is reserved. Pursuant to the Commission Notice on a simplified procedure for treatment of certain concentrations under Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (2) it should be noted that this case is a candidate for treatment under the procedure set out in the Notice.

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| 4. | The Commission invites interested third parties to submit their possible observations on the proposed operation to the Commission.
  Observations must reach the Commission not later than 10 days following the date of this publication. Observations can be sent to the Commission by fax (No (32-2) 296 43 01 or 296 72 44) or by post, under reference number COMP/M.4169 — Virgin/CPW/JV, to the following address:





  European Commission |
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| Competition DG |
| Merger Registry |
| J-70 |
| B-1049 Brussels |

4.

The Commission invites interested third parties to submit their possible observations on the proposed operation to the Commission.

Observations must reach the Commission not later than 10 days following the date of this publication. Observations can be sent to the Commission by fax (No (32-2) 296 43 01 or 296 72 44) or by post, under reference number COMP/M.4169 — Virgin/CPW/JV, to the following address:

European Commission

Competition DG

Merger Registry

J-70

B-1049 Brussels

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(1)  OJ L 24, 29.1.2004, p. 1.

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(2)  OJ C 56, 5.3.2005, p. 32.

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