Three O2 merger blocked.

Faust · 11-05-2016, 13:45

Not sure if people have seen the breaking news that the EU has blocked the merger between Three and O2.

It is already rumoured that Three are looking at either a legal challenge or possibly extricate themselves from the UK telecoms market.

JBX101 · 11-05-2016, 15:44

If they leave, I would be most upset. While I don't believe that they should just throw their toys out of the pram, just because they didn't get what they want; I do acknowledge they could if they wanted to.

aurichie · 11-05-2016, 15:55

I'm betting that Three will look for an exit as they suggested they would. I can't see them wanting to tie themselves up in more knots and uncertainty with complex legal challenges.

binary · 11-05-2016, 16:04

Good result.

O2 seems to have plenty of interested buyers... so who might pick up Three if Hutch sell? It remains a profitably operation.

Carl_Boys · 11-05-2016, 16:09

I'd be annoyed if hutch exited the uk market but with there limited spectrum they can't compete really! Maybe reframing the 2100 frequency to lte and having less 3G would give them a better chance. Also 800lte increase amount. When's the next spectrum auctions for buying more.

swills · 11-05-2016, 16:13

Of course iif we exit the EU, then the merger could be back on ? and why were they not concerned about the merger of BT and EE ?

aurichie · 11-05-2016, 16:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by swills

Of course iif we exit the EU, then the merger could be back on ? and why were they not concerned about the merger of BT and EE ?

BT and EE didn't reduce the number of operators whereas this three + o2 tie up would have. That being said, the BT deal should have been blocked or changed more significantly as they now have a huge dominant infrastructure advantage over both fixed line and mobile now.

omnidirectional · 11-05-2016, 16:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by swills

Of course iif we exit the EU, then the merger could be back on ?

No, because the British regulators (Ofcom and CMA) were strongly opposed to the merger, and the EU just went along with their view.

Faust · 11-05-2016, 16:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by binary

Good result.

O2 seems to have plenty of interested buyers... so who might pick up Three if Hutch sell? It remains a profitably operation.

Most likely scenario at the moment is a venture capitalist organisation, though Liberty Global have shown some interest. The operators will tell you there is not enough profit in the UK market - quite simply it's too small. They argue the regulator should look at the whole of Europe not individual markets and will point to the handful of operators in the US.

I am currently with Three myself but given the very patchy coverage in many areas and there will now be no mast sharing with O2 I think it's time to move on.

JBX101 · 11-05-2016, 16:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by swills

Of course iif we exit the EU, then the merger could be back on ? and why were they not concerned about the merger of BT and EE ?

I think the relevant UK departments also were against the Three-O2 merger, so even if UK decides to leave the EU; I don't think this merger is coming back.

On the grapevine, rumours are that Three UK could take over TalkTalk in an effort to join quadplay. But I don't know, it feels like Three UK is just up in the air at the moment and its customers like me, stuck in a limbo of sorts. Like, last thing I want is for Three UK to close shop by year's end.

Denco1 · 11-05-2016, 16:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by Carl_Boys

I'd be annoyed if hutch exited the uk market but with there limited spectrum they can't compete really! Maybe reframing the 2100 frequency to lte and having less 3G would give them a better chance. Also 800lte increase amount. When's the next spectrum auctions for buying more.

Actually rolling out a dense network of 1800 4G would be a start, no point buying more high frequency when they aren't fully using what they have. Remember Three also have 20MHz of 1400MHz downlink, but currently no devices support this.

The next auction for 2300MHz and 3.4GHz is within the next 2yrs, Ofcom delayed this until after the Three/O2 merger decision, much to Three and O2s delight. The auction for 700MHz will be within the next 4yrs.

Faust · 11-05-2016, 16:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by omnidirectional

No, because the British regulators (Ofcom and CMA) were strongly opposed to the merger, and the EU just went along with their view.

The Brexit campaign were hoping the regulators would let the deal go through then they could complain that the Eurocrats were going against the wishes of our own regulators.

This decision has p - - - ed on their chips and proper.

Faust · 11-05-2016, 16:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by swills

Of course iif we exit the EU, then the merger could be back on ? and why were they not concerned about the merger of BT and EE ?

The argument there was that BT had no real mobile presence so this merger/takeover was not seen as an issue.

However, if you include landlines too etc. they now have a massive 40% of the UK market.

Stereo Steve · 11-05-2016, 16:51

Typical EU. Let BT, a company famous for faiing to deliver, take over the best UK network. Then stop 2 networks, hamstrung by lack of spectrum / investment from merging. They could have allowed it and taken enough spectrum from 3O2 to offer bids for another 4th network.

So, now we really only have 2 proper networks. EE and VOD. Then 2 lame dogs run by operators who probably now want out as soon as possible. Nice work EU.

There was a chance here to create a third, really good network and divest it of enough spectrum to allow another upstart (as 3 started out) to come in.

We really must leave the EU. Where does this leave the UK consumer? 1 dominant network. 1 with the money that is catching up. 2 crap networks who's owners have lost interest in. Brilliant.

david16 · 11-05-2016, 16:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by swills

Of course iif we exit the EU, then the merger could be back on ? and why were they not concerned about the merger of BT and EE ?

Of course they would be happy that a Brexit would allow the uk’s mobile telecommunications companies to be free to reverse the current transition to 0.00 EU roaming charge and be able to charge the extortionate rip off roaming charges again like they did up to 29th April this year before the years.

david16 · 11-05-2016, 17:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stereo Steve

Typical EU. Let BT, a company famous for faiing to deliver, take over the best UK network. Then stop 2 networks, hamstrung by lack of spectrum / investment from merging. They could have allowed it and taken enough spectrum from 3O2 to offer bids for another 4th network.

So, now we really only have 2 proper networks. EE and VOD. Then 2 lame dogs run by operators who probably now want out as soon as possible. Nice work EU.

There was a chance here to create a third, really good network and divest it of enough spectrum to allow another upstart (as 3 started out) to come in.

We really must leave the EU. Where does this leave the UK consumer? 1 dominant network. 1 with the money that is catching up. 2 crap networks who's owners have lost interest in. Brilliant.

Let’s not forget that it was the EU that cojouled the UK into making a lot of the recent beneficial changes such as 0800 free from all phones, and forcing most of the uk’s companies switching their numbers from premium rate 0844, 0845, 0870 and the like std codes to 01, 02, 03 and 080 std codes

omnidirectional · 11-05-2016, 17:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stereo Steve

Typical EU. Let BT, a company famous for faiing to deliver, take over the best UK network. Then stop 2 networks, hamstrung by lack of spectrum / investment from merging. They could have allowed it and taken enough spectrum from 3O2 to offer bids for another 4th network.
...

We really must leave the EU. Where does this leave the UK consumer? 1 dominant network. 1 with the money that is catching up. 2 crap networks who's owners have lost interest in. Brilliant.

The EU did not have any say in the BT/EE takeover. It was all approved in London by the CMA.

(This is what worries me about the EU referendum. Many Brexiters seem to blame the EU for things it had no involvement in!)

Stereo Steve · 11-05-2016, 17:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by omnidirectional

The EU did not have any say in the BT/EE takeover. It was all approved in London by the CMA.

(This is what worries me about the EU referendum. Many Brexiters seem to blame the EU for things it had no involvement in!)

OK, take that back. Thank you. Why did the EU have a say in 3O2 and not BTEE? Because it was a merger and not a sale?

Edit: Or where the ownership lies I guess?

gazzz02 · 11-05-2016, 17:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stereo Steve

Typical EU. Let BT, a company famous for faiing to deliver, take over the best UK network. Then stop 2 networks, hamstrung by lack of spectrum / investment from merging. They could have allowed it and taken enough spectrum from 3O2 to offer bids for another 4th network.

So, now we really only have 2 proper networks. EE and VOD. Then 2 lame dogs run by operators who probably now want out as soon as possible. Nice work EU.

There was a chance here to create a third, really good network and divest it of enough spectrum to allow another upstart (as 3 started out) to come in.

We really must leave the EU. Where does this leave the UK consumer? 1 dominant network. 1 with the money that is catching up. 2 crap networks who's owners have lost interest in. Brilliant.

I'm sorry, but this makes no sense. How is merging two networks "hamstrung by lack of spectrum", then giving away "enough spectrum from 3O2 to offer bids for another 4th network", going to be of any benefit? They'll then have even less spectrum per user!

You also seem to be blaming the EU, when all they did was enforce what the UK's Ofcom and CMA requested. In or out of the EU, the result would have been the same (albeit it may have been a little quicker getting to the answer had we not been in the EU).

I'm all for educated debate, but this just smacks of somebody with an anti-EU agenda trying to make the announcement fit their agenda

clewsy · 11-05-2016, 17:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stereo Steve

OK, take that back. Thank you. Why did the EU have a say in 3O2 and not BTEE? Because it was a merger and not a sale?

Edit: Or where the ownership lies I guess?

It was creating a monopoly. It's strange how the EU has power over the UK and in fairness this is the bug bare of many.

It's great they have finally acted in the consumers interest as this merger was bad for the consumer, well unless you were a 3 customer just hoping to get access to an o2 mast near you. Lol

d123 · 11-05-2016, 19:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stereo Steve

OK, take that back. Thank you. Why did the EU have a say in 3O2 and not BTEE?

Because it was a merger and not a sale?

Yes, in the same way if Sky was to bid to buy o2 now, it would be a national decision.

japaul · 11-05-2016, 20:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stereo Steve

OK, take that back. Thank you. Why did the EU have a say in 3O2 and not BTEE? Because it was a merger and not a sale?

Edit: Or where the ownership lies I guess?

Not because it's a merger or sale (which makes no difference from a regulatory point of view).

The Commission investigates those which are large and have an "EU dimension" based on these turnover rules http://ec.europa.eu/competition/merg...edures_en.html

It's not clear cut though as you can go directly to the EC and EC cases can be referred back to domestic regulators if they think it appropriate. In fact, the CMA requested 3O2 be dealt with by them but the EC refused.

Thine Wonk · 11-05-2016, 20:35

I think Hutch will exit the UK now and O2 will go to Liberty Global, sad news really from my point of view, but most of you guys wanted it. Let's see where this leads us over the next couple of years, I doubt this big competitive utopia some paint.

It'll be the 2 incumbent telecoms companies swallowing mobile with global giant Vodafone off to one side, none of them are going to break a sweat for consumers, far too many pies in other ovens. The standalone mobile network will become the minority, to be replaced by bundles that BT and Libery Global weave, forcing all your eggs in one basket or making it very expensive not to buy multi-play.

Aye Up · 11-05-2016, 21:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thine Wonk

I think Hutch will exit the UK now and O2 will go to Liberty Global, sad news really from my point of view, but most of you guys wanted it. Let's see where this leads us over the next couple of years, I doubt this big competitive utopia some paint.

It'll be the 2 incumbent telecoms companies swallowing mobile with global giant Vodafone off to one side, none of them are going to break a sweat for consumers, far too many pies in other ovens. The standalone mobile network will become the minority, to be replaced by bundles that BT and Libery Global weave, forcing all your eggs in one basket or making it very expensive not to buy multi-play.

Sour grapes?

binary · 11-05-2016, 21:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thine Wonk

I think Hutch will exit the UK now and O2 will go to Liberty Global, sad news really from my point of view, but most of you guys wanted it. Let's see where this leads us over the next couple of years, I doubt this big competitive utopia some paint.

It'll be the 2 incumbent telecoms companies swallowing mobile with global giant Vodafone off to one side, none of them are going to break a sweat for consumers, far too many pies in other ovens. The standalone mobile network will become the minority, to be replaced by bundles that BT and Libery Global weave, forcing all your eggs in one basket or making it very expensive not to buy multi-play.

A bit of a disconnect there - you seem to look kindly on the idea of standalone mobile networks, but are also in favour of consolidation within the telecoms industry.

Also Virgin Media (Liberty Global) have had since 2006 to go after the quad play market, but thus far it hasn't really happened.

11-05-2016, 13:45	#1
Faust Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: UK Posts: 8,103	Three O2 merger blocked. Not sure if people have seen the breaking news that the EU has blocked the merger between Three and O2. It is already rumoured that Three are looking at either a legal challenge or possibly extricate themselves from the UK telecoms market.

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11-05-2016, 15:44	#2
JBX101 Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2015 Posts: 18	If they leave, I would be most upset. While I don't believe that they should just throw their toys out of the pram, just because they didn't get what they want; I do acknowledge they could if they wanted to.

11-05-2016, 15:55	#3
aurichie Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 5,100	I'm betting that Three will look for an exit as they suggested they would. I can't see them wanting to tie themselves up in more knots and uncertainty with complex legal challenges.

11-05-2016, 16:04	#4
binary Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Posts: 636	Good result. O2 seems to have plenty of interested buyers... so who might pick up Three if Hutch sell? It remains a profitably operation.

11-05-2016, 16:09	#5
Carl_Boys Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Posts: 164	I'd be annoyed if hutch exited the uk market but with there limited spectrum they can't compete really! Maybe reframing the 2100 frequency to lte and having less 3G would give them a better chance. Also 800lte increase amount. When's the next spectrum auctions for buying more.

11-05-2016, 16:13	#6
swills Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Essex Posts: 3,906	Of course iif we exit the EU, then the merger could be back on ? and why were they not concerned about the merger of BT and EE ?

11-05-2016, 16:18	#7
aurichie Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 5,100	Quote: Originally Posted by swills Of course iif we exit the EU, then the merger could be back on ? and why were they not concerned about the merger of BT and EE ? BT and EE didn't reduce the number of operators whereas this three + o2 tie up would have. That being said, the BT deal should have been blocked or changed more significantly as they now have a huge dominant infrastructure advantage over both fixed line and mobile now.

11-05-2016, 16:21	#8
omnidirectional Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 10,879	Quote: Originally Posted by swills Of course iif we exit the EU, then the merger could be back on ? No, because the British regulators (Ofcom and CMA) were strongly opposed to the merger, and the EU just went along with their view.

11-05-2016, 16:22	#9
Faust Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: UK Posts: 8,103	Quote: Originally Posted by binary Good result. O2 seems to have plenty of interested buyers... so who might pick up Three if Hutch sell? It remains a profitably operation. Most likely scenario at the moment is a venture capitalist organisation, though Liberty Global have shown some interest. The operators will tell you there is not enough profit in the UK market - quite simply it's too small. They argue the regulator should look at the whole of Europe not individual markets and will point to the handful of operators in the US. I am currently with Three myself but given the very patchy coverage in many areas and there will now be no mast sharing with O2 I think it's time to move on.

11-05-2016, 16:24	#10
JBX101 Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2015 Posts: 18	Quote: Originally Posted by swills Of course iif we exit the EU, then the merger could be back on ? and why were they not concerned about the merger of BT and EE ? I think the relevant UK departments also were against the Three-O2 merger, so even if UK decides to leave the EU; I don't think this merger is coming back. On the grapevine, rumours are that Three UK could take over TalkTalk in an effort to join quadplay. But I don't know, it feels like Three UK is just up in the air at the moment and its customers like me, stuck in a limbo of sorts. Like, last thing I want is for Three UK to close shop by year's end.

11-05-2016, 16:24	#11
Denco1 Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Posts: 983	Quote: Originally Posted by Carl_Boys I'd be annoyed if hutch exited the uk market but with there limited spectrum they can't compete really! Maybe reframing the 2100 frequency to lte and having less 3G would give them a better chance. Also 800lte increase amount. When's the next spectrum auctions for buying more. Actually rolling out a dense network of 1800 4G would be a start, no point buying more high frequency when they aren't fully using what they have. Remember Three also have 20MHz of 1400MHz downlink, but currently no devices support this. The next auction for 2300MHz and 3.4GHz is within the next 2yrs, Ofcom delayed this until after the Three/O2 merger decision, much to Three and O2s delight. The auction for 700MHz will be within the next 4yrs.

11-05-2016, 16:24	#12
Faust Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: UK Posts: 8,103	Quote: Originally Posted by omnidirectional No, because the British regulators (Ofcom and CMA) were strongly opposed to the merger, and the EU just went along with their view. The Brexit campaign were hoping the regulators would let the deal go through then they could complain that the Eurocrats were going against the wishes of our own regulators. This decision has p - - - ed on their chips and proper.

11-05-2016, 16:30	#13
Faust Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: UK Posts: 8,103	Quote: Originally Posted by swills Of course iif we exit the EU, then the merger could be back on ? and why were they not concerned about the merger of BT and EE ? The argument there was that BT had no real mobile presence so this merger/takeover was not seen as an issue. However, if you include landlines too etc. they now have a massive 40% of the UK market.

11-05-2016, 16:51	#14
Stereo Steve Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 1,378	Typical EU. Let BT, a company famous for faiing to deliver, take over the best UK network. Then stop 2 networks, hamstrung by lack of spectrum / investment from merging. They could have allowed it and taken enough spectrum from 3O2 to offer bids for another 4th network. So, now we really only have 2 proper networks. EE and VOD. Then 2 lame dogs run by operators who probably now want out as soon as possible. Nice work EU. There was a chance here to create a third, really good network and divest it of enough spectrum to allow another upstart (as 3 started out) to come in. We really must leave the EU. Where does this leave the UK consumer? 1 dominant network. 1 with the money that is catching up. 2 crap networks who's owners have lost interest in. Brilliant.

11-05-2016, 16:53	#15
david16 Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Central Belt Posts: 12,290	Quote: Originally Posted by swills Of course iif we exit the EU, then the merger could be back on ? and why were they not concerned about the merger of BT and EE ? Of course they would be happy that a Brexit would allow the uk’s mobile telecommunications companies to be free to reverse the current transition to 0.00 EU roaming charge and be able to charge the extortionate rip off roaming charges again like they did up to 29th April this year before the years.

11-05-2016, 17:05	#16
david16 Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Central Belt Posts: 12,290	Quote: Originally Posted by Stereo Steve Typical EU. Let BT, a company famous for faiing to deliver, take over the best UK network. Then stop 2 networks, hamstrung by lack of spectrum / investment from merging. They could have allowed it and taken enough spectrum from 3O2 to offer bids for another 4th network. So, now we really only have 2 proper networks. EE and VOD. Then 2 lame dogs run by operators who probably now want out as soon as possible. Nice work EU. There was a chance here to create a third, really good network and divest it of enough spectrum to allow another upstart (as 3 started out) to come in. We really must leave the EU. Where does this leave the UK consumer? 1 dominant network. 1 with the money that is catching up. 2 crap networks who's owners have lost interest in. Brilliant. Let’s not forget that it was the EU that cojouled the UK into making a lot of the recent beneficial changes such as 0800 free from all phones, and forcing most of the uk’s companies switching their numbers from premium rate 0844, 0845, 0870 and the like std codes to 01, 02, 03 and 080 std codes

11-05-2016, 17:08	#17
omnidirectional Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 10,879	Quote: Originally Posted by Stereo Steve Typical EU. Let BT, a company famous for faiing to deliver, take over the best UK network. Then stop 2 networks, hamstrung by lack of spectrum / investment from merging. They could have allowed it and taken enough spectrum from 3O2 to offer bids for another 4th network. ... We really must leave the EU. Where does this leave the UK consumer? 1 dominant network. 1 with the money that is catching up. 2 crap networks who's owners have lost interest in. Brilliant. The EU did not have any say in the BT/EE takeover. It was all approved in London by the CMA. (This is what worries me about the EU referendum. Many Brexiters seem to blame the EU for things it had no involvement in!)

11-05-2016, 17:10	#18
Stereo Steve Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 1,378	Quote: Originally Posted by omnidirectional The EU did not have any say in the BT/EE takeover. It was all approved in London by the CMA. (This is what worries me about the EU referendum. Many Brexiters seem to blame the EU for things it had no involvement in!) OK, take that back. Thank you. Why did the EU have a say in 3O2 and not BTEE? Because it was a merger and not a sale? Edit: Or where the ownership lies I guess?

11-05-2016, 17:19	#19
gazzz02 Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 21	Quote: Originally Posted by Stereo Steve Typical EU. Let BT, a company famous for faiing to deliver, take over the best UK network. Then stop 2 networks, hamstrung by lack of spectrum / investment from merging. They could have allowed it and taken enough spectrum from 3O2 to offer bids for another 4th network. So, now we really only have 2 proper networks. EE and VOD. Then 2 lame dogs run by operators who probably now want out as soon as possible. Nice work EU. There was a chance here to create a third, really good network and divest it of enough spectrum to allow another upstart (as 3 started out) to come in. We really must leave the EU. Where does this leave the UK consumer? 1 dominant network. 1 with the money that is catching up. 2 crap networks who's owners have lost interest in. Brilliant. I'm sorry, but this makes no sense. How is merging two networks "hamstrung by lack of spectrum", then giving away "enough spectrum from 3O2 to offer bids for another 4th network", going to be of any benefit? They'll then have even less spectrum per user! You also seem to be blaming the EU, when all they did was enforce what the UK's Ofcom and CMA requested. In or out of the EU, the result would have been the same (albeit it may have been a little quicker getting to the answer had we not been in the EU). I'm all for educated debate, but this just smacks of somebody with an anti-EU agenda trying to make the announcement fit their agenda

11-05-2016, 17:20	#20
clewsy Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Midlands Posts: 2,860	Quote: Originally Posted by Stereo Steve OK, take that back. Thank you. Why did the EU have a say in 3O2 and not BTEE? Because it was a merger and not a sale? Edit: Or where the ownership lies I guess? It was creating a monopoly. It's strange how the EU has power over the UK and in fairness this is the bug bare of many. It's great they have finally acted in the consumers interest as this merger was bad for the consumer, well unless you were a 3 customer just hoping to get access to an o2 mast near you. Lol

11-05-2016, 19:36	#21
d123 Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 3,993	Quote: Originally Posted by Stereo Steve OK, take that back. Thank you. Why did the EU have a say in 3O2 and not BTEE? Because it was a merger and not a sale? Yes, in the same way if Sky was to bid to buy o2 now, it would be a national decision.

DS Forums

Three O2 merger blocked.

11-05-2016, 20:27	#22
japaul Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Posts: 1,662	Quote: Originally Posted by Stereo Steve OK, take that back. Thank you. Why did the EU have a say in 3O2 and not BTEE? Because it was a merger and not a sale? Edit: Or where the ownership lies I guess? Not because it's a merger or sale (which makes no difference from a regulatory point of view). The Commission investigates those which are large and have an "EU dimension" based on these turnover rules http://ec.europa.eu/competition/merg...edures_en.html It's not clear cut though as you can go directly to the EC and EC cases can be referred back to domestic regulators if they think it appropriate. In fact, the CMA requested 3O2 be dealt with by them but the EC refused.

11-05-2016, 20:35	#23
Thine Wonk Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 14,577	I think Hutch will exit the UK now and O2 will go to Liberty Global, sad news really from my point of view, but most of you guys wanted it. Let's see where this leads us over the next couple of years, I doubt this big competitive utopia some paint. It'll be the 2 incumbent telecoms companies swallowing mobile with global giant Vodafone off to one side, none of them are going to break a sweat for consumers, far too many pies in other ovens. The standalone mobile network will become the minority, to be replaced by bundles that BT and Libery Global weave, forcing all your eggs in one basket or making it very expensive not to buy multi-play.

11-05-2016, 21:05	#24
Aye Up Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: North West Posts: 4,885	Quote: Originally Posted by Thine Wonk I think Hutch will exit the UK now and O2 will go to Liberty Global, sad news really from my point of view, but most of you guys wanted it. Let's see where this leads us over the next couple of years, I doubt this big competitive utopia some paint. It'll be the 2 incumbent telecoms companies swallowing mobile with global giant Vodafone off to one side, none of them are going to break a sweat for consumers, far too many pies in other ovens. The standalone mobile network will become the minority, to be replaced by bundles that BT and Libery Global weave, forcing all your eggs in one basket or making it very expensive not to buy multi-play. Sour grapes?

11-05-2016, 21:19	#25
binary Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Posts: 636	Quote: Originally Posted by Thine Wonk I think Hutch will exit the UK now and O2 will go to Liberty Global, sad news really from my point of view, but most of you guys wanted it. Let's see where this leads us over the next couple of years, I doubt this big competitive utopia some paint. It'll be the 2 incumbent telecoms companies swallowing mobile with global giant Vodafone off to one side, none of them are going to break a sweat for consumers, far too many pies in other ovens. The standalone mobile network will become the minority, to be replaced by bundles that BT and Libery Global weave, forcing all your eggs in one basket or making it very expensive not to buy multi-play. A bit of a disconnect there - you seem to look kindly on the idea of standalone mobile networks, but are also in favour of consolidation within the telecoms industry. Also Virgin Media (Liberty Global) have had since 2006 to go after the quad play market, but thus far it hasn't really happened.