Mon, 18 Apr 2016 | MERGER
Antitrust regulators in Brussels are in the process of blocking the proposed merger between mobile operators Three and O2, according to several recent reports.
Three’s owner CK Hutchinson has proposed a deal worth £10.5 billion to acquire Telefonica’s UK business O2. However, the EU’s antitrust watchdog is reportedly in the process of stopping the merger, unless further concessions are put on the table.
The UK-based Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) recommended that Brussels takes action to block the move only a few days before the latest news. The UK regulatory body Ofcom has also come out against the proposed deal between the mobile operators. Both bodies fear that the deal would reduce competition in the UK mobile market and harm consumer choice.
The EU competition commissioner Margrethe Vestager said on Wednesday 13 April that she would take account of the strong resistance to the move in the UK.
Although no final decision has taken place, she said: “They work the same way as we do, so of course I take due note of what the regulators and the competition authority has said in this case.”
One proposal put forward by British competition authorities is that Three divides its operations to create a fourth mobile operator in the country, effectively replacing O2.
If the block goes ahead, CK Hutchinson is expected to appeal the decision — a process which could take up to a year before a final decision is reached.
For more information on this subject, see the following resources on post-merger integration.
Operating internationally, the company offers the development, hosting, and maintenance of electronic document management software. The business provides maintenance contracts, licences, installation, and training for its software.
This well-established business excels in resin floor installation and repairs, alongside additional services like stainless steel drainage installations, catering to diverse sectors including engineering, aerospace, and healthcare across South West E...
The companies supply an array of gases to suit various applications, with the group’s offering comprising all types of argon, oxygen, acetylene, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, refrigerant gases, propane and butane.
LEASEHOLD
15
|
Sep
|
Mears Group acquires housing compliance firm in £9.5m deal | BUSINESS SALE
Pennington Choices Group Limited (PCL), a social housing com...
15
|
Sep
|
Future of Bristol sheet metal fabricator secured with acquisition | BUSINESS SALE
A longstanding sheet metal fabricator based in Bristol has b...
15
|
Sep
|
Materials handling firm acquires furniture skate manufacturer | BUSINESS SALE
BIL Group, a Wiltshire-based manufacturer of materials handl...
25
|
Jan
|
Investment group acquires specialist distributor with £2m facility | BUSINESS SALE
A £2 million funding facility has supported investment...
03
|
Aug
|
Byron Burger closes more than half its outlets in pre-pack deal | BUSINESS SALE
Byron Burger has been sold in a pre-pack deal that will see ...
29
|
Jun
|
Byron Burger on the brink of administration | ADMINISTRATION
The owners of fast-casual chain Byron Burger are preparing t...
Business Sale Report is the complete resource for finding genuine acquisition opportunities.
Join today to receive:
All this and much more, including the latest M&A news and exclusive resources
Please choose your settings for this site below. For more information please read our Cookie Policy
These cookies are necessary for our website to function properly and provide you with access to all features.
These are analytics cookies that help us to improve the way our website works.
These are used to improve the functional performance of the website and make it easier for you to use.