BWB Federal Competition Authority

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
Fast News Search