America Online (AOL) and Time Warner have made formal concessions to the European Union, in an attempt to secure the future of their merger.

"Yesterday, we received undertakings from the companies," a Commission spokeswoman confirmed on Friday.

She declined to say what the concessions were and reiterated that the decision would be taken by 24 October.

The Time Warner/AOL merger, if allowed, would create the world's biggest combined internet and media company.

The Commision's decision on the merger is complicated by the fact that Warner Music, a Time Warner subsidiary, is merging with EMI.

While it has not been confirmed what the concessions offered by AOL/Time Warner are, speculation is that German publisher Bertelsmann would exit its joint venture with AOL.

This would cut a possible link between Bertelsmann's BMG music company and Warner Music/EMI.

Earlier this week, EMI/Warner offered the Commission enough concessions to secure the future of the music merger.

The EC is concerned that the EMI/Warner tie-up would put 80% of Europe's recorded music business in the hands of four global giants

Speculation is that the two music companies have offered to sell record labels in France, Denmark, Greece and Spain.

A decision on the EMI/ Warner proposals is expected from the EC on 4 October or 11 October, although the deadline is 18 October.

US hurdles

The mergers also have regulatory hurdles to cross in the US.

A report on Thursday suggested that the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) may approve the AOL/Time Warner merger if it agrees to conditions on internet access.

Approval hinges on the companies' promise to allow cable customers to freely choose their internet service provider.

The two companies also need to secure approval of the merger from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in the US.

The FTC is concerned that the high-speed cable systems Time Warner is rolling out across the US, which will give access to 20% of the population, might be made available only to AOL subscribers.