Vodafone and Three's £16.5B Merger Approved, Creating UK's Largest Telecom

Dec 5, 2024, 07:40 AM

The UK's Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has conditionally approved the £16.5 billion merger between Vodafone and Three, paving the way for the creation of Britain's largest telecom operator by revenue. The merger, valued at £15 billion, will reduce the number of mobile infrastructure operators in the UK from four to three. This consolidation is expected to formally complete during the first half of 2025. Critics argue that the deal could lead to reduced competition and higher consumer bills, as telecom companies are already increasing prices by inflation plus an additional 3.9% annually to boost profits.