Regulator halts O2 contract with Czech state

PRAGUE, Sept 15 (Reuters) - The Czech anti-monopoly watchdog banned telecoms firm Telefonica O2 Czech Republic <SPTTsp.PR> on Friday from closing contracts on data connections with Czech state institutions, pending an investigation of the deal.

The anti-monopoly office (UOHS) said a competitor had complained against tender proceedings which gave Czech O2, formerly Cesky Telecom, the contract.

An UOHS spokesman said there had been no ruling in the case and the ban had a preventative nature.

News agency CTK reported the contracts were worth 610 million crowns ($27.29 million). ((Reporting by Jan Lopatka, editing by Quentin Bryar; prague.newsroom@reuters.com; Reuters Messaging: jan.lopatka.reuters.com@reuters.net; +420-224 190 474))

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Keywords: TELECOMS CZECH O2