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UK: Hutchison seeks merger clearance for O2 and Three

By  |  February 14, 2016

CK Hutchison will promise to work with rivals to maintain two competing mobile networks in the UK, as it seeks to win over antitrust regulators to its proposed £10.5bn acquisition of O2 to merge with Three.

The four British operators have combined their masts into two vast networks — one used by Three and EE, and the other by O2 and Vodafone — which helps split the costs of key tower infrastructure that can often be difficult to build.

However, the merger of O2 and Three risks upsetting that balance, according to rivals and regulators. The decision rests with the European Commission and will be closely watched by global regulators as the Telecoms industry continues consolidating, potentially hurting consumers.

Full content: The Financial Times

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