Vodafone and Three Merger Moves Closer to Approval

The UK's competition regulator signals potential approval, contingent on network upgrades and consumer protections.

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has provisionally indicated it may approve the Vodafone-Three merger if specific conditions are met.
The merger would create the largest mobile network in the UK, surpassing Virgin Media O2 and BT's EE in customer numbers.
To address concerns, Vodafone and Three have committed to a joint £11 billion investment in network upgrades over the next decade.
Consumer protections include maintaining certain mobile tariffs for at least three years and offering competitive wholesale deals to Mobile Virtual Network Operators.
The final decision from the CMA is expected by December 7, with the merger facing opposition from competitors like BT and Sky Mobile.