Interesting Article 3 & O2 Merger

[PhoneChanger]

http://www.engadget.com/2016/02/04/three-o2-merger-threat/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

Thought this was an interesting read.

[MI5]

Telefonica definitely need it to.....!

[Curr946]

Why?

[MI5]

Debts

[sheepdog]

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@MI5 wrote:
What happens after the 5 year freeze is potentially worrying......

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I wouldn't worry after 5 years, prices are still going to go up in between as per the contract annual inflation rise thus the freeze will only be in the context of the current T&C's.

Now somewhere in my mind I thought I read an article saying there's going to be an increase on all networks in this year over something forced onto them by ofcom. Can't remember what it is though but it got me seriously thinking if I needed to have a contract these days. 

[Cleoriff]

More info released here from the Telegraph so it's certainly gathering momentum.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/mediatechnologyandtelecoms/telecoms/12139250/Million...

[Curr946]

If the sell back spectrum it defeats the point, network wise

[Cleoriff]

Interesting that Ofcom are totally opposed to it quoting  four rival mobile operators are required to protect consumers. I would be tempted to ask why BT and EE had no opposition from them. That takeover was allowed to go through with no problems.

[gmarkj]

the reasoning for their approval was that bt were a small operator in the mobile industry, meaning there were still 4 big companies and likewise ee were small in the home broadband industry.
overall they saw the deal as having little impact...

edited to add links:

competition and markets page (with links to all documents) - https://www.gov.uk/cma-cases/bt-ee-merger-inquiry

summary (still 15 pages, but the complete investigation was 373 pages) - https://assets.digital.cabinet-office.gov.uk/media/5697d55aed915d474700001d/BT-EE_summary_final_repo...

[Cleoriff]

Yes I knew this was their rationale but it doesn't look quite so convincing when you look at the market share graph. (I know it involves more than looking at pretty pictures but I am just saying):smileywink:

[MI5]

I guess Voda would have some strong objections too, looking at that graph.