In Response To UK Deal, Vodafone And Hutchison Offer Price Pledge

Vodafone and Hutchison’s Three UK have advanced their USD 19 billion British merger by providing price guarantees and improved access for wholesale operators, resolving concerns raised by Britain’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) ahead of a final assessment.

Vodafone and Hutchison will improve wholesale operators’ access to their joint network, easing CMA concerns. The regulator voiced concern about the deal’s impact on consumer prices and competition. The businesses have also agreed to invest 11 billion pounds in network enhancements, with the goal of creating a strong challenger to UK telecommunications companies BT Group’s EE (formerly Everything Everywhere) and Virgin Media O2. The CMA ruling is due by December 7.