The Public Agency of the Republic of Slovenia for the Protection of Competition (AVK) has officially initiated an in-depth investigation into Telemach Slovenija’s acquisition of T-2. Following a preliminary review, the regulator issued a decision on March 16, 2026, citing serious suspicions that the merger could significantly undermine market competition across several critical telecommunications sectors.
The agency’s concerns center on “horizontal overlap”—situations where the two companies compete directly for the same customers. The probe will examine the impact on retail markets for mobile and fixed telephony, broadband internet access, and both linear and non-linear television services. Of particular concern is the potential for the merger to create a dominant player capable of operating independently of its competitors and customers, ultimately leading to higher prices and reduced service quality.
In the mobile telephony market, the AVK warns that the consolidation would leave only three major network operators in Slovenia: the merged Telemach/T-2 entity, Telekom Slovenije, and A1. This reduction in players is expected to weaken the incentive for competitive pricing and make it harder for consumers to switch providers. Furthermore, the agency identified T-2 as a “significant driver of competition” whose disappearance could stifle the current market dynamics that benefit end-users.
Beyond direct competition, the AVK is investigating the threat of “coordinated effects.” In a market dominated by just three large providers, there is an increased risk of tacit coordination, where companies align their behavior without formal agreements. This transparency in a highly concentrated market could lead to a stable but less favorable environment for consumers. The agency has also highlighted the reduction in infrastructure competition, as both Telemach and T-2 own substantial physical networks that would be unified under a single owner.
As the second phase of the assessment begins, the AVK has issued a public call for data. Competitors, business partners, and consumers are invited to provide evidence or insights that could influence the final decision. The agency has said that it will protect trade secrets and the identity of informants where disclosure might cause harm.
