EU regulators have opened a detailed probe of Dutch technology group TomTom's takeover of Dutch firm Tele Atlas on concerns the deal could stifle competition in the market for hand-held navigation devices.
The European Commission said it would rule by mid April whether to allow the €2.9 billion takeover of Tele Atlas, a leading maker of digital maps, by TomTom, which makes portable navigation devices.
The European Union's top competition watchdog said it had 'serious doubts' the deal would 'lead to a significant impediment to effective competition.'