German watchdog says would likely probe Kabel Deutschland deal

Germany's antitrust regulator said it would likely be responsible for examining the proposed takeover of Kabel Deutschland by Vodafone .

A Kabel Deutschland-Vodafone deal, which has not yet been filed for approval, would in theory be a matter for the national watchdog, a spokesman for Germany's Federal Cartel Office said.

The European Commission, which is the antitrust regulator for cross-boarder competition in the region, is likely to refer the case to the Federal Cartel Office because the deal would mainly affect the German market, the spokesman said.

(Reporting by Matthias Inverardi; Writing by Ludwig Burger)