Court dismisses Digicel claims against FTC

The Supreme Court this morning dismissed the application brought by telecommunications firm Digicel that the Fair Trading Commission (FTC) had no right to intervene in the Digicel-Claro merger.



The FTC was seeking to overturn the acquisition and subsequent merger of the rival mobile telephone operators Digicel Jamaica and Claro Jamaica.



The FTC has argued that Digicel's acquisition of Claro's Jamaican business is likely to damage competition and stymie consumer benefits.



However, Digicel was claiming that the FTC is seriously misguided in its thinking that the company’s acquisition would be detrimental to consumer welfare.



However, this morning Justice Ann Marie Haynes dismissed Digicel’s application.



Digicel said it will be appealing the ruling.



radio@gleanerjm.com