UK watchdog to probe O2-Virgin deal over risk of higher prices Competition regulator

1andrew1 · 21-01-2021, 15:32

Perhaps announcing a price increase this Spring was a tad risky?

Quote:

The UK competition watchdog is to investigate whether Virgin Media’s proposed £31bn tie-up with telecoms operator O2 could lead to higher prices for mobile and broadband customers or poorer 5G connectivity for rival operators. Liberty Global and Telefónica, the respective owners of Virgin Media and O2, struck a deal to combine their UK operations in May last year with plans to combine the country’s second-largest broadband network and largest mobile operator.

The CMA on Thursday highlighted two areas of potential harm that could be triggered by the merger including the impact on the market for “virtual” operators that use mobile networks such as O2’s to offer services to consumers.
…
Another area the CMA said it would examine was Virgin Media’s supply of leased lines — known as “backhaul” — to mobile network operators. These connect mobile masts to the main telecoms grid and will become more important in the 5G era as huge amounts of mobile data are transported across the network.

https://www.ft.com/content/cf843cf0-...4-a3233cebeaca

JMcB · 21-01-2021, 18:23

Cirgin don't need O2 to get the price I pay higher.....��*��*��*��

Tricky Trevor · 23-01-2021, 18:35

I wonder if it now means a longer delay for 5G launching?

Pierre · 23-01-2021, 22:30

No, no, no and no...........and no.

oscarandjo · 05-02-2021, 20:38

Frankly, I'm in favour of any ruling that keeps Virgin away from being a telecom.

1andrew1 · 05-02-2021, 20:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by oscarandjo

Frankly, I'm in favour of any ruling that keeps Virgin away from being a telecom.

Isn't it one now?

RichardCoulter · 05-02-2021, 22:26

In a fashion

1andrew1 · 05-02-2021, 23:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by RichardCoulter

In a fashion

Naughty!

From Companies House:

Quote:

VIRGIN MEDIA LIMITED
Company number 02591237
61900 - Other telecommunications activities

Pierre · 06-02-2021, 15:56

2nd biggest telco in the U.K. certainly in regards to fixed line. If you’re including mobile then Vodafone could be 2nd.

oscarandjo · 09-02-2021, 15:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1andrew1

Isn't it one now?

Unfortunately, however, any progress to stop this is good in my books.

1andrew1 · 09-02-2021, 18:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by oscarandjo

Unfortunately, however, any progress to stop this is good in my books.

Why? Convergence between mobile and fixed line seems to be logical.

Aye Up · 12-02-2021, 18:15

I doubt this will be blocked, there maybe some small undertakings required as part of the deal being greenlit.....but there is no real market impact.

Sky has a wholesale agreement with Telefonica which will continue regardless of the merger. The only impact I can see is Tesco Mobile.....I suspect O2 will have to divest its share of that....probably Tesco becoming sole owner.