EU mulls easing merger rules for telecoms, Big Tech to help pay network costs

FILE PHOTO: European Union flags fly outside the European Commission headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, March 1, 2023.REUTERS/Johanna Geron/File Photo/File Photo

BRUSSELS (Reuters) -EU regulators may ease their rules against mobile telecoms mergers and broaden telecoms rules to get Big Tech and others to help fund the rollout of 5G, according to a European Commission document seen by Reuters.

Deutsche Telekom , Orange, Telefonica and Telecom Italia have long lobbied EU antitrust regulators to loosen rules that frown on mergers that reduce the number of mobile operators from four to three unless substantial remedies are offered.