Issues statement for Yell/hibu review of undertakings
27 Nov 2012
The Competition Commission (CC) has published an issues statement as part of its review on whether to remove undertakings which currently control the prices Yell Group plc (now hibu plc) can charge advertisers for inclusion in its Yellow Pages printed directory and also place restrictions on its publication of other directories.
The current undertakings were put in place following a CC investigation into classified directory advertising services, which was completed in December 2006 (PDF, 35 Kb) .
The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) has recommended to the CC that the undertakings should be lifted. The OFT’s advice is available here.
The issues statement sets out the questions and advice the review will be examining, using the OFT’s advice as a starting point and looking in particular at the extent to which hibu’s market power has changed since 2006 due to growth in Internet usage by both consumers and advertisers, as well as at any changes in the importance of barriers to entry and expansion in this market.
The CC is also publishing an administrative timetable for the review. The timetable, issues statement and all other information relating to the review can be found here.
The CC is inviting comments from any interested parties on the issues statement. Comments should be made in writing by 17 December 2012 to Brid.McHugh@cc.gsi.gov.uk or:
Brid McHugh
Yell/hibu review of undertakings
Competition Commission
Victoria House
Southampton Row
LONDON
WC1B 4AD
Notes for editors
1. The CC is an independent public body, which carries out investigations into mergers, markets and the regulated industries.
2. The OFT has a duty to keep under review orders and undertakings made under the Fair Trading Act 1973 and the Enterprise Act 2002 and, from time to time, to consider whether, by reason of any change of circumstances, an order and/or undertaking is no longer appropriate. The CC has the power to vary or revoke the orders and/or undertakings. It will now review the OFT’s advice and make a final decision.
3. Enquiries should be directed to Rory Taylor or Siobhan Allen on 020 7271 0242.
