Orange merger with T-Mobile given the all-clear

The merger of UK mobile operators Orange and T-Mobile has been given the all-clear by the European Commission (EC).

The European Commission's (EC) clearance of the merger is conditional on amendments to the existing network sharing agreement with 3G UK.

This will ensure that sufficient competitors remain in the market, which has prompted the withdrawal of an Office of Fair Trading request for the merger to be removed by the UK competition authorities.

Commenting on the clearance, which will likely impact the mobile phone and broadband services offered to customers of the two networks in the UK, European Competition Commissioner Joaquin Almunia said: "I am happy that we managed to resolve the competition issues in this case quickly in close cooperation with the member state concerned."

Chief Financial Officer at Deutsche Telekom, which owns T-Mobile, Tim Hottges suggested that it is excellent news for customers.

He added: "Now the way is clear for pooling our resources to create an outstanding high-speed mobile broadband network in one of the most competitive markets in Europe."

Posted by Ruth Bradshaw