Microsoft Makes Concessions to EU to Aid Telewest Deal

Microsoft Corp. said it had made new concessions to the European Commission in a last-ditch effort to save its planned purchase of a stake in British cable operator Telewest Communications. The U.S. software giant plans to buy MediaOne’s 29.7% stake in Telewest, in a $3-billion deal that would give Microsoft joint control of the company with Liberty Media Group. The commission, the EU’s antitrust watchdog, has expressed concerns about the Microsoft-Telewest deal. A Microsoft spokesman gave no details of the offer. One of the solutions under consideration, a well-informed industry source said, is for Microsoft to give up joint control of Telewest in favor of an arrangement in which it agrees to promises regarding the company’s use of its software. The commission must rule by Aug. 4 whether to clear the deal with conditions or block it. Microsoft fell $1.50 to close at $78.50 on Nasdaq.