Competition regulator’s backing for Vodafone-Three merger is a fair call:
CMA’s new pragmatism over having three UK mobile operators will provide more genuine ...
theguardian.com/business/nils-pratley-on-finance/2024/nov/05/competition-regulators-backing-for-vodafone-three-merger-is-a-fair-call
Photo: theguardian.com · view article
CMA signals conditional backing for Vodafone-Three mergerThe proposed deal depends on an £11bn network programme over eight years and three-year protections for customers.
Key FactsNov 5, 2024 · Reading time: ~30 sec.
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: theguardian.com
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: theguardian.com
- The CMA now backs the merger subject to investment conditions, but has not yet issued its final decision.
- Ofcom would receive powers to require eight years of network upgrades through an £11bn programme focused on 5G.
- Certain mobile tariffs and data plans would have to remain available for three years to protect existing customers.
- If completed, Virgin Media O2 would receive additional spectrum; the article argues a three-player market could strengthen genuine competition.
Story Details
| Last Updated | |
| Total Articles | 12 |
Main Topics
United Kingdom government non-ministerial department
News on this topic
Vodafone and Three merger could get green light, says UK's competition watchdog
news.sky.com/story/vodafone-and-three-merger-could-get-green-light-says-uks-competition-watchdog-13248644
The big Vodafone and Three merger is now close to happening – here's what that means for you
techradar.com/phones/network-providers/the-big-vodafone-and-three-merger-is-now-close-to-happening-heres-what-that-means-for-you
What could UK merger between Vodafone and Three mean for customers?: As competition watchdog looks poised to approve tie-up, questions raised over what it could ...
theguardian.com/technology/2024/nov/05/what-would-a-merger-between-vodafone-and-three-mean-for-customers
More articles on this subject
Previous
British regulator says $19.5 billion Vodafone-Three merger could go ahead if remedies are adopted
cnbc.com/2024/11/05/vodafone-three-merger-can-go-ahead-as-regulator-outlines-remedies.html
dlvr.it Nov 05 24
UK watchdog hints Voda-Three merger will likely pass: Game of Phones settles into its final chapter
theregister.com/2024/11/05/uk_regulator_hints_vodathree_merger/
Vodafone-Three merger looks more likely than ever after CMA announcement: The Vodafone-Three merger looks more likely today than ever before after the CMA set ...
neowin.net/news/vodafone-three-merger-looks-more-likely-than-ever-after-cma-announcement/
BBC Nov 05 24
Vodafone-Three merger could get green light, watchdog says: It wants commitments on prices and 5G if the creation of the UK's biggest mobile network is to go ...
bbc.com/news/articles/ckgznpx44q3o
Vodafone and Three merger could get go-ahead, says watchdog: Promise to invest £11bn in upgrade to network may solve competition concerns, says CMA
theguardian.com/business/2024/nov/05/vodafone-three-merger-upgrade-network-cma
UK regulator says $19 bln Vodafone-Three tie-up likely to go ahead: The $19 billion merger between Vodafone and Hutchison's Three UK is likely to be given the go ...
reuters.com/markets/deals/uk-regulator-says-vodafone-three-day-likely-be-given-go-ahead-2024-11-05/
Next
Similar to This
Previous
dlvr.it Jul 31
Three becomes one as Vodafone buys out merger partner: £4.3B deal gives telco full control of Britain's largest mobile operator
theregister.com/networks/2026/07/31/three-becomes-one-as-vodafone-buys-out-merger-partner/5281722
UK orders Google to improve transparency for search services: British businesses complain Google’s current ranking practices are neither fair nor transparent.
aljazeera.com/news/2026/6/17/uk-orders-google-to-improve-transparency-for-search-services
Two major UK high street chains to shut stores and combine under one roof: The pair are set to shut stores as part of a massive £15 billion overhaul.
birminghammail.co.uk/whats-on/shopping/two-major-uk-high-street-33766981
BT loses more than 200,000 broadband customers as profits slump: Third-quarter figures reveal 57% fall in profits and firm expects to lose 850 ...
theguardian.com/business/2026/feb/05/bt-loses-more-than-200000-broadband-customers-profits-slump
VodafoneThree picks Ericsson and Nokia as key partners as part of £11bn plans: The Nordic firms have been signed up for eight-year contracts to deliver network ...
standard.co.uk/news/uk/nokia-vodafone-nordic-three-uk-competition-and-markets-authority-b1248973.html
Vodafone completes mega-merger to form UK’s largest mobile phone network: The companies first announced the landmark deal in June 2023
independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/vodafone-three-merger-phone-network-b2761797.html
Vodafone-Three merger: What does it mean for phone bills?: Some critics say the merger could lead to price rises
independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/vodafone-three-merger-bills-cma-deal-b2659523.html
dlvr.it Oct 01 24
Three, Voda promise £10-a-month or below mobile tariffs in bid to sway CMA on merger
theregister.com/2024/10/01/three_and_voda_offer_commitments/
Vodafone clashes with UK's competition watchdog over Three merger: Watchdog has particular concerns about the customers least able to afford mobile services.
bbc.com/news/articles/crlrl009kwxo
Key FactsVodafone-Three Merger: Concerns Over Rising Costs
Sep 13, 2024 · Reading time: ~30 sec.
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: theguardian.com
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: theguardian.com
- The proposed merger between Vodafone and Three could lead to higher mobile bills for millions of customers, according to the UK competition watchdog, the CMA.
- The CMA expressed concerns that the merger would significantly reduce competition in the mobile market and demanded assurances from both companies for approval.
- Vodafone and Three disputed the CMA's findings, arguing that the merger would enhance the market and investment while denying any potential for price increases.
- The CMA plans to make a final decision by December 7 and reserves the right to block the merger if proposed remedies are inadequate.
Vodafone merger ‘could leave 1m Three customers unable to find cheaper deals’: Unite union makes claim as it calls on CMA to block tie-up that would bring 27m ...
theguardian.com/business/article/2024/aug/22/vodafone-merger-three-customers-unable-find-cheaper-deals
Vodafone says Labour must let it merge with Three UK to deliver nationwide 5G: Exclusive: Chief executive says government’s promise of UK-wide 5G by 2030 needs ...
theguardian.com/business/article/2024/jul/28/vodafone-says-labour-must-let-it-merge-with-three-uk-to-deliver-nationwide-5g
dlvr.it Jul 03 24
Vodafone, VMO2 shuffle spectrum to woo watchdog amid merger moves: Vodafone chasing Three, but BT's complained borged entity would have ...
theregister.com/2024/07/03/vodafone_vmo2_network_sharing/
dlvr.it Jun 18 24
BT speaks out against Vodafone and Three's mobile marriage plans: Fears 'MergeCo' will snaffle disproportionate spectrum
theregister.com/2024/06/18/cma_vodafone_three_responses/
dlvr.it Apr 04 24
Vodafone and Three UK merger heads into deeper probe: Watchdog concerns about price hikes and consolidation remain unresolved
dlvr.it/T53VP2
UK mobile merger must ring in changes for troubled sector: Fierce competition has hammered the market’s economics
ft.com/content/c1811185-45f9-4eef-85cb-7bbb012a104c
Paid articlePaywall
Vodafone, Three deal faces in-depth inquiry unless solutions given urgently: The $19 billion deal was announced last year, and if it proceeds ...
financialexpress.com/business/industry-vodafone-three-deal-faces-in-depth-inquiry-unless-solutions-given-urgently-3433990/
Vodafone, Hutchison strike $19 billion deal to create UK mobile leader: Vodafone (VOD.L) and CK Hutchison (0001.HK) unveiled the long-awaited 15 billion pound ...
reuters.com/business/media-telecom/vodafone-hutchison-unveil-uk-mobile-merger-2023-06-14/
Key FactsCMA urged to demand binding commitments from Vodafone and Three
Jun 14, 2023 · Reading time: ~45 sec.
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: theguardian.com
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: theguardian.com
- Vodafone and CK Hutchison-owned Three seek a merger that would overturn the longstanding four-operator approach.
- Chief executive Margherita Della Valle said Vodafone was sub-scale in Britain and unable to compete effectively there.
- Ofcom found EE and Virgin Media O2 earning above roughly 9% cost of capital, while Vodafone and Three remained below for years.
- Before approval, the CMA should secure binding investment commitments because an £11bn ten-year plan alone is not binding.
great for customers, great for the country and great for competition— Margherita Della Valle, Vodafone chief executive, describing the proposed UK merger with CK Hutchison-owned Three
UK Network Operators Target iCloud Private Relay in Complaint to Regulator: A group of UK network operators have formally urged the UK's Competition and ...
macrumors.com/2022/03/13/uk-network-operators-target-icloud-private-relay/
Ofcom opens the way for potential mergers as telecoms landscape evolves: Ofcom has revealed that it may be increasingly open-minded to mergers as the telecoms ...
cityam.com/ofcom-opens-up-to-potential-mergers-as-telecoms-landscape/
Next