MORE guidance is needed about when the regulator should step in during a takeover of a telecoms business in the Channel Islands, the regulator has said.

The Channel Islands Competition and Regulatory Authorities has launched a consultation on the issue in light of the proposed acquisition of Cable & Wireless in the Channel Islands by Bahrain Telecommunications Company.

The proposed deal involves a change of control under the telecoms licences held by CWG and CWJ and will need to be notified to Cicra in both islands.

Cicra chief executive Andrew Riseley, pictured, said Cicra’s provisional view was that, given the statutory duties applied to telecoms regulatory functions, the focus of an assessment of a change of control should be on whether it jeopardises the willingness or ability to provide high quality, sustainable telecoms services, or to comply with licence conditions or other regulatory requirements.