CMA Investigates JV Between Vodafone and Three U.K.

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The U.K. Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) announced that it will be examining the potential impact on competition of the proposed joint venture between Vodafone and Three U.K., which are major mobile network operators in the United Kingdom. The JV would reduce the number of carriers from four to three.

“This deal would bring together two of the major players in the UK telecommunications market, which is critical to millions of everyday customers, businesses and the wider economy,” Sarah Cardell, Chief Executive of the CMA, said. “The CMA will assess how this tie-up between rival networks could impact competition before deciding next steps.”

Vodafone Group plc is a British multinational telecommunications company, which owns and operates networks in 21 countries, with partner networks in 48 other countries. Hutchison 3G U.K. Limited, known as Three U.K., is a British telecom and internet service provider, which claims to cover 99 percent of the U.K. outdoor population with a combined 3G and 4G network and carries 28 percent of mobile data traffic in the country. Three U.K. also says it has more 5G spectrum than any other MNO in the U.K.

The CMA now has up to 40 working days to identify whether the deal may lead to a ‘substantial lessening of competition’ and whether a more in-depth investigation might be required.

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