By John Glenday

Telecoms regulator Ofcom has come out against a planned merger of O2 and Three by calling on European authorities to block the tie-up on competition grounds.

This follows fears that the combined entity would monopolise mobile phone services in the UK by shrinking the number of large competitors from four to three, enabling them to raise prices for consumers.

Outlining the rationale, Ofcom chief executive Sharon White told the FT: “The merger of two of Britain’s four operators could also hit rival high-street retailers and upset existing network arrangements.

A formal statement of objections will be sent to both Three and O2 outlining Read full story ›

Source: The Drum