(Adds Sky comment on no basis for seeking interim stay fromcourt)
WELLINGTON, Feb 16 (Reuters) - Sky Network Television said if it gets regulatory clearance to buy Vodafone's New Zealand unit it will not hold off on the deal togive rival Spark NZ time to challenge the regulator'sdecision in court, as requested.
Sky, in a statement to the stock exchange on Thursday, saida number of parties including Spark and Trustpower hadsent it a letter asking it to hold off on the transaction if theCommerce Commission ruled in its favour so that they couldinitiate court proceedings.
The Commerce Commission is due to rule on the proposedNZ$1.3 billion ($938 million) takeover on Feb. 23 and haspreviously cited concern the deal would dampen competition fromrival broadband and mobile providers.
Spark has been vocal in its opposition to the deal, sayingthat Sky's monopoly on premium sports content rights in NewZealand is a key concern.
Spark had said in the letter to Sky that it would seek aninterim stay from the courts if Sky did not provide assurancesthat it would hold off on the deal.
"Sky does not consider that there is any proper basis forseeking an interim stay from the court," Sky said in itsstatement, adding that it would oppose any interim stayapplication and request damages. ($1 = 1.3866 New Zealand dollars) (Reporting by Charlotte Greenfield; Editing by Susan Fenton)
Vodafone (VOD)
