Three UK's owner is reportedly plotting a £9 billion bid for O2

[viridis]

"Telefonica-owned O2 has quietly become the subject of interest from Three UK owner Hutchison Whampoa. According to The Sunday Times, the UK mobile market could quite soon shrink from four major operators to just three, after talks between the two companies reportedly progressed to a point where Hutchison Whampoa is ready to make a £9 billion bid for Britain's second-biggest carrier."

http://www.engadget.com/2015/01/18/hutchison-whampoa-o2-acquisition/

[Anonymous]

This was because it was contractual. Telefonica included it as part of the contract as they have other o2 units around the world.

It is common practice.

[Anonymous]

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@Anonymous wrote:
This was because it was contractual. Telefonica included it as part of the contract as they have other o2 units around the world.

It is common practice.

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Quite possibly. But the article that @iar1980 linked, suggests that it's a decision that could go either way:

“If it ditched the O2 brand – and its unclear if it would be allowed to maintain it – it would be a shame, because the O2 brand is well understood and well known by consumers. It has a good name and good reputation in the UK.”

[Anonymous]

That decision would form part of the due diligence currently being undertaken. It is normal practice that the selling company, where they have other operations under the same name, will build into the contract how long the name can be used for. A year is typical.

[Anonymous]

To be honest, if they can deliver a better network, that manages to combine their respective strengths in terms of broadband speed and call quality, they can call it whatever they like 

[Cleoriff]

For the first time today it is featuring in every BBC News programme.

I understand the BBC hold fire until they have good reason to go with the story

We will see...

[iar1980]

It all depends on the final deal. If Hutchison Whampoa completely buy out o2, the brand will be dropped within 12 months and changed to Three, but if a different type of deal is done where telefonica keep a small stake in o2, then who knows what may transpire......

[MI5]

The o2 brand is owned by Telefonica and used in other countries so Three would not be able to keep it...

[darrengf]

In Ireland the O2 branding is slowly been changed to Three. Although it's taken nearly 18 months and there is still work to be done.

But I think if Three did buy O2. Then it would be the same in the uk, but three may be buying more than the network don't forget, you have the o2 arenas as well, in Ireland they were changed to the Three Arena. But It won't happen over night and it could be 18months to 2 years down the line if anything was really going to change, it has to go through all government an eu bodies first.

[iar1980]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-32043874

Ronan Dunne, CEO of O2 in the UK and Member of the Telefónica Group Executive, said:

'O2’s vision has always been to provide the very best customer experience. Subject to regulatory approval, the deal that has been agreed today will result in the creation of the most customer-centric mobile operator in the UK. We are pleased to be integral to such an exciting ambition and are confident that the agreement will mutually benefit our customers and employees who are central to our business.'   

[Anonymous]

It was only 3 months ago when Ronan Dunne stated that Telefonica would not sell o2 at all.

Someone wondering where he will be working in future? He has presided over a network that is failing to deliver to its customers but conversely has picked up huge numbers of customers through selling mvno deals at suicidal prices.