UK regulator refers Viasat-Inmarsat merger for in-depth probe

LONDON  -Britain’s competition regulator said on Friday that it had referred Viasat’s $7.3-billion takeover of satellite rival Inmarsat for an in-depth investigation, raising chances of the deal getting delayed.

The decision comes a week after the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) raised concerns that the merger between the American company and Britain-based Inmarsat could hamper competition and lead to airlines facing higher prices for on-board wifi.

The watchdog said it referred the deal for further investigation because the merger has resulted or might be expected to result in a “substantial lessening of competition within a market or markets” in the UK, based on the information it currently has.