(Telecompaper) The European Commission has cleared the merger of Vodafone Netherlands and Liberty Global's Dutch operation Ziggo, with the condition that Vodafone sells its fixed business. The deal sees the country's largest cable operator merged with the number-two mobile operator, to create a full-scale rival to incumbent KPN. The Commission's main concern about the deal was removing Vodafone from the fixed market, where it recently became a more significant player. According to the EC, "Vodafone had the potential to become a strong competitor in fixed and fixed-mobile service packages. The divestment offered by Vodafone means another player can take up its role and provide continued competition in the fixed market.