Mobile service provider Altech Autopage has pushed back its planned shutdown date, which was originally anticipated for the end of this month.<\/p>\n
On Friday, the Competition Tribunal approved the sale of Altech Autopage\u2019s subscriber base to MTN, Vodacom and Cell C, subject to conditions pertaining to affected staff.<\/p>\n
The approval, though, came after delays hit the regulation process amid a challenge from Altech Autopage\u2019s largest customer Saicom Holdings in December last year.<\/p>\n
Saicom Holdings\u2019 challenge at the Competition Tribunal hearings in December resulted in the matter being sent back to the Competition Commission. But after investigating the matter further, the Competition Commission subsequently decided to stick to recommending the deal, opening the way for the Tribunal to approve the deal last week.<\/p>\n
Prior to Saicom Holdings\u2019 challenge of the deal, Altech Autopage\u2019s former managing director, Boyd Chislett, last year told Fin24 that the mobile service provider planned to migrate \u201call three customer bases by the 29th of February\u201d, depending on the regulatory process.<\/p>\n
But that plan has changed, according to Altech Autopage\u2019s new managing director Peter Wattrus.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe anticipated closure date of 29 February will not be met due to the delay in approval from the regulator,\u201d Wattrus told Fin24.<\/p>\n
\u201cAltech Autopage will communicate new timelines in due course. Until such time as the migration takes place, Altech Autopage will continue to service its clients,\u201d said Wattrus.<\/p>\n
Altech Autopage\u2019s owner, Johannesburg listed Altron, announced in September last year that the Autopage subscriber base would be sold to MTN, Cell C and Vodacom for R1.46 billion.<\/p>\n
Altron said that its decision to \u201cdispose of these subscriber bases has been based on, among others, the impact of the ongoing mobile termination rate (MTR) reductions, in addition to continued industry and consumer deflationary pressures\u201d.<\/p>\n
Fin24 <\/a><\/p>\n Autopage deal in jeopardy<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Autopage buys Nashua Mobile\u2019s Cell C subscribers<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\nMore on Autopage<\/h3>\n