EU to investigate TomTom / Tele Atlas deal
by Evan Blass 
posted Nov 28th 2007 at 12:20PM
The European Commission has just opened an investigation into TomTom's proposed purchase of Tele Atlas, claiming that consumers could be hurt by a GPS hardware maker owning one of the two major digital map providers. Specifically, the so-called "in-depth inquiry," which will be concluded no later than April 17th of next year, stems from "serious doubts that the acquisition by TomTom of Tele Atlas might...lead to a significant impediment of effective competition within the EEA." With Nokia going after NAVTEQ and Garmin having given up on Tele Atlas, this investigation clearly makes sense from the free market standpoint, as the Dutch firm is not likely to slip past without at least committing to fair map licensing terms for other PND manufacturers. In response to the Commission's announcement, TomTom decided to extend its offer for shares of Tele Atlas until March 31st, 2008, with the option to issue another extension if certain conditions are not met.[Thanks, Daniel]
Filed under: GPS
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Rowdehaj @ Nov 28th 2007 12:35PM
Taking into account that I cheered when Microsoft got fined by the EU, and I wouldn't like to be thought of as hypocritical, I... *grinds teeth* think the EU's doing a good ... *Eye twitch* job.
Eu.... Erm... >.
Andrew @ Nov 29th 2007 7:33PM
What's there to complain about? They're *looking* into it. Probably because Microsoft or Garmin complained to be honest. Like the Microsoft case was initiated by complaints from Sun, Real etc.
Matthew Hilario @ Nov 28th 2007 12:42PM
anti-trust in 3, 2, 1..
nathan.wong @ Nov 28th 2007 1:05PM
Sounds like monopoly if the deal goes through and Nokia gets the other mapping company. We can see prices for GPS's go through the roof because they'll be able to charge anything they want for maps.
Jon @ Nov 28th 2007 3:43PM
Nokia offers their maps for free. You only need to pay to use it with navigation but browsing and route planning with maps on Nokia and Windows Mobile phones are free.
DanielWillis @ Nov 28th 2007 2:20PM
I Agree Anti-trust Remember Microsoft and Netscape
KC @ Nov 28th 2007 4:34PM
And the irony that all PCs and phones, pda, game consoles, etc, ship with internet browsers now.
joule @ Nov 29th 2007 7:53AM
I just want tom tom to be able to provide maps for latin america, which teleatlas has... I've been cheering for this deal for almost a year now, I don't see what's wrong with it.
Andrew @ Nov 29th 2007 7:29PM
You might not see anything wrong about it.. but that's why the EU has people looking at these cases. To avoid any negative effects for consumers [in Europe]. Also, have you even considered that Nokia could raise the prices for maps of your region? You know, to "cover" their expenses etc.