EU to open lengthy probe into Telefonica, KPN deal - sources
FRANKFURT/BRUSSELS (Reuters) - EU antitrust regulators will open an in-depth probe into Telefonica's proposed 8.6 billion euro ($11.9 billion) takeover of KPN's German unit next week, three people familiar with the matter said on Thursday.
The European Commision will reject a German request to examine a deal that will reduce the number of mobile telecoms operators in Europe's biggest market from four to three, they added.
Telefonica announced the deal in July, which will broadly put it on an equal footing with market leaders Deutsche Telekom and Vodafone.
(Reporting by Peter Maushagen and Harro ten Wolde in Frankfurt and Foo Yun Chee in Brussels)
