Introduces review of acquisitions in the telecommunication sector

On 1 October 2020, the Act on Undesirable Control in the Telecommunication Sector entered into force. It introduced a screening mechanism for acquisitions in Dutch providers of electronic communications networks or services, hosting services, internet nodes, internet certification services or data centres and similar category of network or service determined by the government. Any investor intending to acquire control in telecommunication providers shall notify the relevant Minister 8 weeks in advance. The Minister may prohibit such a transaction, if it may pose a threat to public interest.

• Type:

  • Entry and establishment (Ownership and control)

• Industry:

  • Services (Telecommunications, Computer programming, consultancy and related activities)

• Sources:

  • Staatsblad van het Koninkrijk der Nederlanden, Wet van 20 mei 2020 tot wijziging van de Telecommunicatiewet met betrekking tot ongewenste zeggenschap in telecommunicatiepartijen (Wet ongewenste zeggenschap telecommunicatie), https://zoek.officielebekendmakingen.nl/stb-2020-165.html, 20 May 2020
  • Simmons & Simmons LLP , Dutch Telecommunication Sector (Undesirable Control) Act in force, https://www.simmons-simmons.com/en/publications/ckg814s33aq6y0a98jm9anelc/dutch-telecommunication-sector-act-in-force, 13 Oct 2020