The proposed merger of Three and O2 is a significant threat to competition says the CMA who are going to scrutinise the deal. Plus the EU is going to look at it too. This wont please the forum member who thought it was a done deal

http://www.ispreview.co.uk/index.php...d-o2-deal.html

Quote:
““The Competition and Markets Authority’s (CMA) initial view, following consultation and preliminary analysis, is that the transaction threatens to affect significantly competition in the UK retail mobile and wholesale mobile markets.
It also believes it is appropriate for the case to be referred to the CMA for investigation because any impact on competition resulting from the merger will likely be limited to UK consumers and because of the CMA’s experience in investigating telecoms mergers – as demonstrated by the CMA’s ongoing investigation into the BT/EE merger in this market.
Given the clear links between these 2 cases it would be more efficient to also examine the merger between Three and O2, in particular to avoid duplication and fragmentation. The CMA also received support from industry participants in making the request.””
““The Competition and Markets Authority’s (CMA) initial view, following consultation and preliminary analysis, is that the transaction threatens to affect significantly competition in the UK retail mobile and wholesale mobile markets.
It also believes it is appropriate for the case to be referred to the CMA for investigation because any impact on competition resulting from the merger will likely be limited to UK consumers and because of the CMA’s experience in investigating telecoms mergers – as demonstrated by the CMA’s ongoing investigation into the BT/EE merger in this market.
Given the clear links between these 2 cases it would be more efficient to also examine the merger between Three and O2, in particular to avoid duplication and fragmentation. The CMA also received support from industry participants in making the request.””
http://www.ispreview.co.uk/index.php...d-o2-deal.html



