Vodafone and Three Merger Approved by CMA

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has approved the £15 billion merger between Vodafone and Three, which will create the UK's largest mobile network serving 27 million customers. In response to earlier concerns over potential price increases and competition impacts, the companies committed to investing £11 billion in 5G infrastructure and preserving certain tariffs for three years. The merger reduces the number of major operators from four to three but is expected to enhance competition in the long term, benefiting consumers. Vodafone will own 51% of the merged entity, with an option to acquire the remainder after three years. This decision is seen as a significant step for the UK's telecoms market, aligning with the government's goal to attract investment and boost economic growth. The merger is set to complete in the first half of 2025, with oversight from both Ofcom and the CMA to ensure compliance with the investment commitments.