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BWB Federal Competition Authority
Austrian Construction Group Strabag Fined Millions in Germany for Cartel Agreements
Austria's largest construction group, STRABAG SE, is again in the headlines due to cartel allegations. The German Federal Cartel Office has imposed a hefty fine of 2.79 million euros on STRABAG AG, a subsidiary of STRABAG SE, headquartered in Cologne. The reason for the fine is an illegal bidding agreement in connection with the renovation of the famous Zoobrücke bridge in Cologne.
November 6, 2024
Austria's Competition Watchdogs Criticize Concentration on Gas Market
The Federal Competition Authority (BWB) and the regulatory authority E-Control recently presented the second interim report of their joint Electricity & Gas Task Force. This investigation is a reaction to the developments in the Austrian energy markets, which are characterized by strongly fluctuating prices and high market concentration.
August 20, 2024
Bank Merger in Carinthia and Burgenland: New Era for Anadi Bank and Bank Burgenland
Following the sale of Anadi Bank to the Grawe Banking Group last December, further details have now been announced. Bank Burgenland will take over 42,000 customers, ten branches, and an SME and real estate loan portfolio from Anadi Bank in September and will operate as Bank Burgenland Kärnten in the future.
August 4, 2024
Realignment and Expert Dialog: Austria's Path to Fair Competition
The new head of the Federal Competition Authority (BWB), Natalie Harsdorf-Borsch, has set herself the goal of taking stronger action against companies that abuse their market power. This focus marks a strategic reorientation of the BWB, which previously dealt primarily with price agreements and investigated fewer cases of abuse of market power.
January 28, 2024
EU Commission Takes Legal Action Against Austria
The European Commission has taken legal action against Austria and other Member States that fail to comply with EU law. In the case of Austria, several allegations have been put forward. Read more about them below.
June 11, 2021
Three Austria: BWB/RTR confirm intense competition in Austria with mobile prices down 10% below 2011 levels
‘According to the RTR’s own index mobile prices in Austria are now below 2011 levels, before Three’s merger with Orange. In reports published today by BWB, the national competition authority, and RTR, the national telecoms regulator, cite research which indicates prices did rise in 2013 and 2014 but have continued to drop in 2015. They are now 10% below 2011 levels as competition in the country has intensified.
March 14, 2016
Czechs Jirí Šmejc and Karel Komárek Want to Take Control of Casinos Austria
The Czech consortium Austrian Gaming Holding (AGH) of billionaires Jirí Šmejc and Karel Komárek, headquartered in Prague may soon be new majority owner of Casinos Austria AG. According to the Federal Competition Authority (BWB), Austrian Gaming Holding intends to increase one hand its stake in Medial to 88.89 percent and on the other hand to acquire 16.79 percent of Casinos Austria AG shares. Through these acquisitions, AGH will hold directly or indirectly 50.82 percent of the shares and thus acquire sole control of the CASAG.
January 21, 2016
T-Mobile Continues Fight Against Orange Takeover
After the takeover of “Orange” by Hutchison Austria, the situation of telecommunication sector has changed significantly. T-Mobile´s management thinks that the takeover is unlawful.
February 19, 2013
Hutchison Takes Over Orange
The Austrian subsidiary of the Hong Kong-based telecommunication group Hutchison Whampoa is now officially entitled to acquire its competitor Orange.
December 22, 2012
Hutchison Austria: Takeover Approved
The EU Commission allows the Hong Kong-based telecommunication group to take over its Austrian competitor “Orange”. The Austrian Federal Competition Authority is not convinced yet.
November 21, 2012
Slim´s Entry at Telekom Austria Approved
The Austrian Federal Competition Authority (BWB) has no objections against the acquisition by Carlos Slim.
July 27, 2012
Hutchison: „Telecommunication Network Overburdened in Two Years“
Jan Trionow, CEO of Hutchison Austria, appeals on authorities to approve the takeover of the competitor Orange. The Austrian telecommunication network will face capacity problems soon.
July 21, 2012
Orange Sale: EU Commission is Concerned too
After the Austrian Federal Competition Authority (BWB) expressed its concerns about the acquisition of Orange by Hutchison Austria, the EU Commission announces to deepen its examination.
June 29, 2012
Orange Deal: „Federal Competition Authority is Ignorant“
The Austrian Federal Competition Authority (BWB) has to examine the takeover of Orange by Hutchison Austria thoroughly. The patience of all parties is limited.
June 28, 2012
Orange: Takeover Is Questionable
The takeover of the third-biggest telecommunication operator in Austria by the Hong Kong-based Hutchison may fail.
June 22, 2012
Orange Takeover to be Postponed
The Commission of the EU identified several shortcomings in the takeover of Orange by the Hong Kong based Hutchison.
June 15, 2012
Telekom Austria Files for „Yesss!“ Takeover
Telekom Austria Group files with the Austrian Federal Competition Authority the notification for the proposed acquisition of Yesss!
May 31, 2012
Orange Takeover: T-Mobile Claims Legal Restraints
According to the Austrian subsidiary of Deutsche Telekom, the takeover of the third-largest Austrian telecommunication service provider would lead to a distortion of competitions.
May 8, 2012
IPIC Intends Further Increase in OMV
The second core shareholder of OMV, the Arab state fund International Petroleum Investment Company, which is situated in Abu Dhabi, plans another rise in its shareholding.
March 8, 2012
Rewe is Said to Constrain Investigations
The Austrian Federal Competition Authority (BWB) suspects Rewe Austria to have made price arrangements. Rewe should have constrained BWB´s investigations.
March 6, 2012
Rewe Suspected of Price Arrangements
The Austrian Federal Competition Authority (BWB) suspects Rewe Group for having made price arrangements with competitors and suppliers.
February 28, 2012
Hutchinson-Orange Merger: T-Mobile Becomes Impatient
T-Mobile Austria, a subsidiary of Deutsche Telekom puts pressure on the Austrian Competition Authority. The merger must include a number of requirements.
February 25, 2012
Tele2 Finalizes Acquisition of Silver Server
The Austrian Internet service provider is taken over for € 12.3m after the competition authority has approved the deal.
December 23, 2011
Gas Cartel Investigations Continue
Another office has been searched on Wednesday. Austrian oil and gas company OMV does not see itself in the focus of prosecution.
September 28, 2011
Suspicion of Price Fixing in Building Material Industry
Inspections have taken place at several companies since the beginning of the week. Big players of the industry are also under suspicion.
August 4, 2011
Strong Merger Growth in Austria
The number of mergers has increased in 2010 by 12%. The Federal Competition Commission reported 238 cases.
January 12, 2011
Sugar cartel held Austria by the short hairs from 2004 to 2008
Südzucker, Agrana and another provider sealed off the Austrian sugar market by collusion from 2004 to 2008. The Competition Authority has filed an application for a fine. A chief witness has spilled the beans.
September 10, 2010
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