Microsoft has called for a speedy green light by EU regulators for its US$26 billion bid for social network LinkedIn.

“We filed today,” company spokesman Robin Koch said, noting that the European Commission has set a November 22 deadline to examine the case.

Microsoft is expected to argue that there is more than enough competition from Facebook and social networks on smartphones.

Antitrust regulators in the United States, Canada and Brazil have already given their imprimatur for the deal.