Digital Infrastructure

COMREG NEWS

ComReg consults on guidelines on the Implementation of the Competition Act 2022

Under the Competition (Amendment) Act (the “2022 Act”), ComReg is a competent authority, meaning it can investigate breaches of competition law under the 2002 Competition Act and Articles 101 and 102 of the Treaty of the Functioning of the European Union (“TFEU”). Once the 2022 Act is commenced, ComReg will gain administrative fining powers, as well as broadened investigatory powers. ComReg has published three sets of guidelines, which are: (i) Financial Penalty Guidelines (see here), (ii) Access to File Policy Guidelines (see here), and (iii) Guidelines on the Administrative Leniency Policy (see here). These guidelines may be amended following the responses received. More information is available here.

INDUSTRY NEWS

Capital Investment in Irish SMEs

Development Capital, an Irish growth capital fund aimed at Irish mid-sized companies, announced a €6 million investment in Internet Protocol Telecom Limited (“IP Telecom”). IP Telecom specialises in cloud-based voice over internet phone protocol phone plans that it sells to business customers. It provides services to over 4,000 business customers active in various sectors, such as technology, transportation, retail and agriculture. The Investment Director of Development Capital, Anthony O’Driscoll, will sit on the board of IP Telecom. The full article is available here.

Speed Fibre Group to be acquired by Cord

Cordiant Digital Infrastructure Limited, a UK-based investment fund specialising in the digital economy, is set to acquire Ireland’s Speed Fibre Group. The Speed Fibre Group is active in the telecoms infrastructure and communications services sector, and operates over 5000 kilometres of leased and owned fibre. The transaction is expected to close later in the year and is still awaiting regulatory approval in the UK and Ireland. The full article is available here.