More Three - O2 merger news

[adamtemp64]

http://www.computerweekly.com/news/4500272488/Three-chairman-promises-five-year-price-freeze-after-O...

Could help users will costs

[Bambino]

I saw the same in another article a couple of days ago.

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/508f3a12-ca95-11e5-be0b-b7ece4e953a0.html#axzz3zOFxf8ct

I think a price freeze, should the merger be approved, will be cold comfort to Three customers who are on legacy tariffs and are about to see those tariffs double.

http://www.theguardian.com/money/2016/feb/06/three-mobile-customers-100-per-cent-price-rise

I'm predominantly a Three customer (and O2 P&G), although I'm sim only, so I don't think it will have much affect on me. I'd be happy if they froze the sim only tariffs too, but that hasn't been made very clear. My main concern with the merger is if Three will keep the Feel At Home perk that I currently have, which gives me free roaming in many other countries for calls, texts, and data. I'm wondering if they would find it financially viable to extend that perk to the 23 million O2 customers that they will be taking on?

Also interesting to see that Virgin have given the merger their blessing, but I think there's an ulterior motive in that.

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2016/02/05/virgin_gives_its_blessing_to_o2three_merger/

[Cleoriff]

I read that article @adamtemp64 I tend to think it was a 'sweetener' to gain Ofcom approval. They seem to be stalling on a decision. I know they don't like the idea.....stating we need 4 networks to make sure all is kept competitively fair for customers...

[Anonymous]

I've been having a little deeper think about this today and I think the merger in a way could be a positive thing in terms of pricing.

Okay, so at the moment we have Vodafone, Three, o2 and EE all as the main players. If the merger were approved we'd then have Vodafone, EE and The New Network.

The fact there is less networks does mean less competition yes but then it could make the other 2 networks act that little bit more competitive as there are less other deals to compare them alongside and let's be honest, no network wants to absolutely shine through as the most expensive.... whereas at the moment with there being the 4 networks, there are a vast range of different tariffs to try and compare deals to.

I know it might sound a bit long winded but I hope the point I'm trying to portray is coming across

[MI5]

Yeah, I'd agree with that.

[jonsie]

Tyne main question is not will the merger be given the go ahead but more to the point, what will happen if it doesn't, to a network already a shadow of what it once was? 

[MI5]

You can guarantee Telefonica will try to offload O2-UK somewhere else regardless, but maybe try and sell it independently rather than a merger.....?

[jonsie]

I'm sure they will.  Maybe we can form a buyout group 

[jonsie]

There's a few changes needed 

[MI5]

Almost an impossible task for a company that's not already in the business.
Any that are will likely get blocked, so the future ain't too bright as it stands currently.......