topic Re: O2/Three Merger Has Been Blocked in Off-Topic

O2/Three Merger Has Been Blocked

Bambino — Wed, 11 May 2016 10:28:59 GMT

It's not looking promising. Meeting is today.

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/7958a956-15f4-11e6-9d98-00386a18e39d.html#axzz48HBZG1Ua

Edit: News as of this morning: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-36266924

Re: O2/Three Merger Expected To Be Blocked

MI5 — Tue, 10 May 2016 17:59:48 GMT

You can kiss goodbye to o2 if it is blocked.....

Re: O2/Three Merger Expected To Be Blocked

Bambino — Tue, 10 May 2016 18:08:22 GMT

Looks as if another player is already interested in buying O2.

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/6d0da158-16c4-11e6-9d98-00386a18e39d.html#axzz48HBZG1Ua

And another slightly less reputable purchaser too.

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2016/05/09/o2_iliad_maybe/

Re: O2/Three Merger Expected To Be Blocked

jonsie — Tue, 10 May 2016 18:08:29 GMT

I think Telefonica may be desperate enough to sell to anyone.

Re: O2/Three Merger Expected To Be Blocked

Curr946 — Tue, 10 May 2016 18:17:28 GMT

oh... I hope they are run correctly with whoever ends out with them.

Re: O2/Three Merger Expected To Be Blocked

Cleoriff — Tue, 10 May 2016 18:30:09 GMT

Certainly not looking good...though I can't see why it would be allowed with anyone else if not Three?

Oh wait....who has heard of the other interested parties...?

Re: O2/Three Merger Expected To Be Blocked

MI5 — Tue, 10 May 2016 18:35:10 GMT

@Cleoriff wrote:
though I can't see why it would be allowed with anyone else if not Three?

Three want to merge two networks into one.

A buyout would still retain the same number of networks as current.

Re: O2/Three Merger Expected To Be Blocked

Cleoriff — Tue, 10 May 2016 18:38:50 GMT

@MI5 wrote:
@Cleoriff wrote:
though I can't see why it would be allowed with anyone else if not Three?
Three want to merge two networks into one.
A buyout would still retain the same number of networks as current.

Which is why I added the last 'sarcastic' sentence to my post...

Re: O2/Three Merger Expected To Be Blocked

Curr946 — Tue, 10 May 2016 18:43:09 GMT

I think they are forgetting about the 3 big players in the VMN space. Tesco, Virgin and GiffGaff.... Come on, this reason for blocking it a pure cope out. Clearly someones not getting their belly scratched enough from 3.

Re: O2/Three Merger Expected To Be Blocked

jonsie — Tue, 10 May 2016 19:06:25 GMT

Well from the 1st June I won't need any of them...shame about Three, it could have been a great combined network.

Re: O2/Three Merger Expected To Be Blocked

Anonymous — Wed, 11 May 2016 00:05:31 GMT

Assuming o2 would effectively be run by Three it could have been great.

o2 have been totally useless on my iPad contract for numerous reasons (no signal where I need it,priority can't be used on iPad cos text alerts can't be received,faulty iPad from new with no interest in helping etc )

o2 delivered me a faulty iPad and then told me to take it to my nearest Apple Store (20 miles away) to get it sorted - this is a new iPad out the box on day one of my contract!

Three have been faultless in every way for my contract phone

Re: O2/Three Merger Expected To Be Blocked

MI5 — Wed, 11 May 2016 05:49:16 GMT

You should have demanded a replacement. Within the first 30 days it's your rights.

Re: O2/Three Merger Expected To Be Blocked

Bambino — Wed, 11 May 2016 08:19:11 GMT

@Anonymous You should be glad O2 told you to take your iPad to Apple. If you do a search on the forum you'll find that O2's repair service leaves much to be desired.

Re: O2/Three Merger Expected To Be Blocked

Bambino — Wed, 11 May 2016 08:28:52 GMT

Back on topic, latest news is that Virgin Media's owner is interested in buying O2 should the Three deal fail, which it looks likely to do.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2016/05/11/liberty-global-weighs-o2-bid-if-merger-with-three-is-blocked/

Re: O2/Three Merger Expected To Be Blocked

Cleoriff — Wed, 11 May 2016 08:33:23 GMT

I had absolutely no idea that Liberty Global owned Virgin Media? If honest I had never heard of them till I read this thread and the links..

Re: O2/Three Merger Expected To Be Blocked

MI5 — Wed, 11 May 2016 08:34:45 GMT

That would be an interesting merger too.

Re: O2/Three Merger Expected To Be Blocked

Curr946 — Wed, 11 May 2016 09:04:16 GMT

I like that idea. Virgin Mobile would become what is currently O2. Wonder if a network sharing agreement with EE would still continue. Hmmm.

Re: O2/Three Merger Expected To Be Blocked

Anonymous — Wed, 11 May 2016 09:20:47 GMT

Virgin may not be fantastic, I was on Virgin but I switched as they weren't interested in stocking new windows phones and were not prompt at rolling out updates.

Re: O2/Three Merger Expected To Be Blocked

MI5 — Wed, 11 May 2016 09:23:42 GMT

Virgin have only ever been an MVNO so didn't have the resource to support a full on network with it's associated requirements. Add O2 to the mix and you would have a decent set up.

Re: O2/Three Merger Expected To Be Blocked

Bambino — Wed, 11 May 2016 09:51:39 GMT

Virgin also only offer 3G for domestic customers, so being able to offer 4G would be a big boost. I'm sure Virgin would love to disassociate themselves with EE, as BT are now the owners.