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Ireland: Cable co UPC is last hurdle for Hutchison, O2 merger

By  |  May 19, 2014

Cable operator UPC is reportedly the final hurdle in the way of Hutchison Whampoa’s $1 billion acquisition of O2 Ireland.

Reports say Hutchison will need to officially sign a deal with UPC to create a mobile virtual network operator that would replace competition lost with its O2 purchase. Unnamed sources say the European Commission is close to approving the Hong Kong-based company’s acquisition but the MVNO plan will need to be made official before regulatory clearance can be given.

According to those sources, under terms of the deals UPC would use 3 Ireland’s wireless network to offer mobile services, sustaining the number of Ireland wireless competitors at four.

The Commission has until June 20 to rule o the deal.

Full content: Fierce Wireless

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