Decision time on Telkom bid for Business Connexion

The Competition Tribunal sat through closing arguments on the controversial case yesterday, notes a Business Day report. The long running uncertainty has triggered staff losses and dented Business Connexion’s profits as customers wait to see if it will remain independent or be swallowed by the fixed-line operator. Yesterday, advocate David Unterhalter for the merging parties said opponents to the deal had taken a scatter-gun approach and devised over-charging theories as to what the outcome of an acquisition would be and how it may damage the market. The bid is opposed by Internet Solutions, the SA Small Medium and Micro Enterprise Forum and the Internet Service Providers Association. Full Business Day report