Vodafone and Three push back on regulator concerns over £15bn merger

Mobile giants Vodafone and Three have insisted that their proposed £15 billion merger is “pro-competitive” after the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) expressed fears over post-deal price hikes for customers.

Vodafone, headquartered in Newbury, Berkshire, “remains confident that outstanding issues can be resolved”, pointing to its planned £11 billion network investment as a “once-in-a-generation opportunity” for UK infrastructure.

The company has committed to keeping tariffs at £10 or below for two years beyond completion of the merger on its value brand SMARTY.

It’s also pledged to maintain social tariffs on both the SMARTY and VOXI 4 Now brands.

This comes after the CMA flagged “particular concerns” for vulnerable customers who could be faced with unreasonable tariffs.

Vodafone and Three are currently planning a comprehensive rebuttal to the CMA’s provisional findings.

A final decision from the watchdog on the merger is due by 7 December.