Vodafone confirms merger talks with Three UK

Vodafone has confirmed that it’s in talks with Three to merge their UK operations.

Following recent speculation, Vodafone confirmed today that it’s in discussions with Three-owner CK Hutchison Holdings Limited to combine the companies.

The proposed transaction would result in Vodafone owning 51 percent of the combined business while CK Hutchison would own the remaining 49 percent.

Ernest Doku, telecoms expert at Uswitch, comments: “Two of the UK mobile...

3 October 2022 | Networks

CMA launches probe into Viasat-Inmarsat merger

The UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has launched a probe into the merger of Viasat and Inmarsat.

Viasat first announced its intention to acquire Inmarsat for $7.3 billion in November 2021. To no surprise, the proposal attracted plenty of attention.

The combined entities would operate a fleet of 19 satellites that are currently in service. An additional 10 spacecraft are under construction and planned for launch within the next three years.

The...

9 August 2022 | IoT

T-Mobile ordered to prove it didn’t lie to get Sprint merger approval

T-Mobile has been ordered to prove it didn’t lie to government regulators about its 3G shutdown plans to win approval for its Sprint merger.

In a ruling by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), T-Mobile is ordered “to show cause why it should not be sanctioned by the Commission for violating Rule 1.1 of the Commission’s Rules of Practice and Procedure for false, misleading, or omitted statements.”

CPUC accuses T-Mobile of making false statements...

17 August 2021 | Legislation & Government

CMA green lights £31B merger of telecoms giants Virgin and O2

The Competition & Markets Authority (CMA) has given the green light to a £31 billion merger of telecoms giants Virgin and O2.

Provisional approval of the deal was granted last month but today’s announcement clears the companies to form a combined entity that can better compete against BT/EE after their own £12.5 billion merger in 2016.

Virgin and O2 both sell wholesale services to a number of mobile operators in the UK. In the case of Virgin, their wholesale...

20 May 2021 | Legislation & Government

Virgin and O2’s merger is granted provisional approval

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has granted provisional regulatory approval of Virgin’s proposed merger with O2.

In November last year, the European Commission – which, pre-Brexit, had regulatory oversight over the deal – referred the proposed merger to the UK’s competition regulator.

Andrea Coscelli, Chief Executive at the CMA, said at the time:

“These are incredibly important UK markets, that continue to evolve, and the deal needs to be...

14 April 2021 | Legislation & Government

European Commission refers Virgin Media–O2 merger to the CMA

The European Commission has referred a proposed merger between Virgin Media and O2 to the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA).

Virgin Media and O2 confirmed their intention to merge back in May. Naturally, the £31 billion deal is being scrutinised by regulators.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0-PZkudXsWo

The CMA formally requested the case be transferred on October 8th, shortly after the European Commission launched its investigation. Today, the European...

19 November 2020 | Networks

T-Mobile switches off Sprint’s 5G network following $26.5 billion merger

T-Mobile is switching off Sprint’s legacy 5G network following the merger of the companies which finally closed on April 1st.

Sprint’s 5G, which uses 2.5GHz mid-band spectrum, has been taken offline while T-Mobile works to re-deploy it across its own network.

Most existing Sprint customers won’t be able to use their current devices going forward to access 5G, with Galaxy S20 users being the exception. T-Mobile is offering credits for affected customers to lease a...

3 July 2020 | Networks

T-Mobile wants to adjust Sprint merger terms like jobs promises, 5G speeds

T-Mobile is seeking to adjust some of the agreements it made in return for the authorisation of its Sprint merger.

The "uncarrier" has asked California’s Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) to ease three conditions in particular. 

One of the key arguments made by T-Mobile in favour of its merger was that it would create jobs. Former CEO John Legere even said in a blog post last year that a combined T-Mobile/Sprint would employ 11,000 more workers by 2024 than what the...

24 June 2020 | Legislation & Government

O2 and Virgin Media confirm historic £31 billion merger

The rumours proved to be true: O2 and Virgin Media have confirmed their intention to merge in a £31 billion deal.

Telefonica and Liberty Global, owners of O2 and Virgin Media respectively, have put out a joint statement today confirming the 50-50 joint venture which “brings together Virgin Media, the UK’s fastest broadband network, and O2, the country’s largest mobile platform.”

Jose Maria Alvarez-Pallete, CEO of Telefonica, said: “Combining O2’s number one...

7 May 2020 | Networks

O2 and Virgin Media consider merging to fight BT and Sky

Two of the UK's biggest names in telecoms are considering a merger to combat the industry behemoths of BT and Sky.

O2 and Virgin Media are reportedly in talks to combine each company's strengths across TV, broadband, and mobile.

Liberty Global, which owns Virgin Media, is said to be in talks with Spanish O2-owner Telefonica. Virgin Media brings a vast TV and broadband presence to the table, while O2 has a much larger base of mobile subscribers. 

Virgin...

4 May 2020 | Networks