The Parties welcome the CMA’s recognition that the significant improvements in network quality delivered by their Joint Network Plan will “boost competition between mobile network operators in the long term and benefit millions of people who rely on mobile services.”
Vodafone and Three (“the Parties”) note the CMA’s announcement that it will publish a Remedies Working Paper, for a final round of consultation.
The Paper follows 18 months of extensive engagement between the CMA and the Parties, including the submission of detailed evidence, which highlights the pro-growth, pro-customer and pro-competitive benefits of the merger.
The Parties welcome the CMA’s recognition that the significant improvements in network quality delivered by their Joint Network Plan will “boost competition between mobile network operators in the long term and benefit millions of people who rely on mobile services.”
The merger is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to transform the UK’s digital infrastructure – which lags significantly behind its European peers – and for more than 50 million UK customers to benefit from a vastly better mobile experience.
Vodafone and Three will need to study the Working Paper in detail. From what the CMA has communicated so far, the companies believe it provides a path to final clearance.
An appropriate balance appears to have been struck by ensuring that the significant benefits of the merged company’s investments can be realised in full and at pace to the benefit of the country and its citizens, while addressing the CMA’s stated concerns. However, it is essential that balance is preserved through to the end of the process, reflecting that the Parties have offered extensive remedies, including by making their future network roll-out fully enforceable.
The merger will be a catalyst for positive change. It will bring significant benefits to businesses and consumers throughout the UK, and it will bring advanced 5G to every school and hospital across the country. The merger is also closely aligned with the Government’s mission to drive growth and encourage more private investment in the UK. As the Government has recognised, high quality digital networks are pivotal to this1, as all countries’ future prosperity and technological advancement will be underpinned by world-class connectivity.
The CMA’s final decision on the merger is due on, or before, 7 December. Vodafone UK and Three UK will continue to positively engage with the CMA to resolve any outstanding matters and secure approval.
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1 “…access to fast, secure, and reliable digital connectivity is essential to enabling economic growth and to reap the transformational productivity benefits of digitalisation and the adoption of AI. Continued investment is needed to meet our ambitious targets to bring gigabit-capable broadband to all of the UK, and standalone 5G to all populated areas, by 2030” (Invest 2035: The UK’s Modern Industrial Strategy, October 2024).