Vodafone and Three’s response to the CMA’s Remedies Working Paper
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 this morning, we 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 to 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, and we will continue to positively engage with them to resolve any outstanding matters and secure approval.
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)
For more information, please contact:
Vodafone:
Three:
Registered Office: Vodafone House, The Connection, Newbury, Berkshire RG14 2FN, England. Registered in England No. 1833679
About Vodafone
Vodafone is a leading European and African telecoms company. We provide mobile and fixed services to over 330 million customers in 15 countries (excludes Italy which is held as a discontinued operation under Vodafone Group), partner with mobile networks in 45 more and have one of the world’s largest IoT platforms. In Africa, our financial technology businesses serve almost 79 million customers across seven countries – managing more transactions than any other provider.
Our purpose is to connect for a better future by using technology to improve lives, businesses and help progress inclusive sustainable societies. We are committed to reducing our environmental impact to reach net zero emissions by 2040.
For more information, please visit www.vodafone.com follow us on X at @VodafoneGroup or connect with us on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/company/vodafone.
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