United Kingdom: Opened consultation on CMA remedies working paper following Phase 2 investigation into merger between Vodafone and CK Hutchinson

Description

Opened consultation on CMA remedies working paper following Phase 2 investigation into merger between Vodafone and CK Hutchinson

On 5 November 2024, the UK's Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) issued its remedies working paper after its Phase 2 investigation into the proposed merger between Vodafone and Hutchison 3G UK. The CMA opened a consultation on the remedies until 12 November 2024 and will issue a final report by 7 December 2024. The remedies aim to address a "substantial lessening of competition" identified in the UK’s retail and wholesale mobile telecommunications markets. The CMA found that the merger could reduce competition in services for both consumers and wholesale customers, such as mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs). The CMA's proposed remedies include a Network Commitment requiring the merged entity to invest significantly in network development, especially in expanding 5G technology and coverage in the UK. Additional consumer protections include time-limited commitments on retail pricing, maintaining current mobile tariffs, and offering competitive terms for MVNOs. As an alternative, the CMA considers prohibiting the merger if these measures do not sufficiently address the competition concerns.

Original source

Scope

Policy Area
Competition
Policy Instrument
Merger control regulation
Regulated Economic Activity
infrastructure provider: internet and telecom services
Implementation Level
national
Government Branch
executive
Government Body
competition authority

Complete timeline of this policy change

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2023-10-11
in consultation

On 11 October 2023, the UK's Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) opened an investigation into a…

2023-11-01
processing consultation

On 1 November 2023, the UK's Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) closed its consultation on an …

2024-01-26
under deliberation

On 26 January 2024, the UK's Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) announced the launch of its Ph…

2024-03-22
under investigation

On 22 March 2024, the UK's Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) issued its findings after its Ph…

2024-04-04
under investigation

On 4 April 2024, the UK's Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) launched the Phase 2 investigatio…

2024-05-02
under investigation

On 13 September 2024, the UK's Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) issued a provisional view on…

2024-05-02
under deliberation

On 2 May 2024, the UK's Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) issued a statement on its investiga…

2024-11-05
in consultation

On 5 November 2024, the UK's Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) issued its remedies working pa…

2024-11-12
processing consultation

On 12 November 2024, the UK's Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) closes the consultation on it…

2024-12-05
in force

On 5 December 2024, the UK's Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) approved the merger between Vo…

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