Altech Technologies has been ordered to pay MTN and Verizon's costs in respect of Altech's intervention application in the MTN/Verizon merger proceedings, the Competition Tribunal said on Friday.

The Tribunal approved the merger between MTN and Verizon South Africa on Thursday, but did not make a costs order in terms of the merger hearing.

These events followed Altech's opposition to the proposed merger between MTN and Verizon South Africa and its application for leave to intervene.

It was of the view that the merger would give rise to substantial competition concerns.

On 10 November 2008, the Tribunal granted Altech the right to intervene in the proceedings.

On 8 January 2009, a day before the Competition Tribunal hearings were scheduled to begin, the Competition Tribunal received notification that Altech was withdrawing its intervention application.

In terms of the merger transaction between MTN and Verizon, Verizon European Holdings is selling its interest in Verizon South Africa (69.38 percent) to MTN.

Sapa