Sistema given go-ahead for Kosmos TV merger

Russia’s Federal Antimonopoly Service has given a green light to AFK Sistema, owner of service provider MTS, to take full control of pay TV service provider Kosmos TV by acquiring the 50% stake held by state broadcasting organization RTRS, according to local press.

Sistema and RTRS are currently engaged in talks about the acquisition of the latter’s stake in Kosmos TV. However, Sistema reportedly decided to apply for the necessary permission from the regulator ahead of a deal being agreed in order to speed up the process later.

Kosmos TV holds rights to valuable spectrum in the 2.7-2.7GHz range in Moscow, which could be used by MTS to deploy LTE services more easily in the region, according to local reports.