Telefónica is seeking to move on from the blocked merger of its UK business with CK Hutchison’s Three as the Spanish telecoms company plots a future sale or flotation of O2.
Telefónica and Hutchison had agreed an exclusivity deal that would have kept them talking about the deal until the end of June. But now that Brussels regulators have rejected the deal, Telefónica wants to end the talks earlier.
The move, which could be agreed by the two sides as early as this week, represents the end of a £10.5bn agreement struck more than a year ago that aimed to create the UK’s largest mobile group.
A merger between Three and O2 was blocked by Europe’s antitrust regulator in May given concerns about the impact on pricing and infrastructure in the UK. If the exclusivity agreement is ended, Telefónica will be free to consider the next step for its British business.
Full Content: Financial Times
Want more news? Subscribe to CPI’s free daily newsletter for more headlines and updates on antitrust developments around the world.
Featured News
Chamber of Commerce Sues to Overturn FTC Non-Compete Ban
Apr 24, 2024 by
CPI
FTC Chief Warns of Healthcare Price Fixing Risks Amid Tech Advancements
Apr 24, 2024 by
CPI
Amazon’s Investment in Anthropic Faces Antitrust Scrutiny
Apr 24, 2024 by
CPI
Italian Antitrust Authority Fines Amazon €10 Million for Unfair Trade Practices
Apr 24, 2024 by
CPI
Tuta Mail Raises Alarm Over Google Search Ranking Plunge Amidst DMA Rollout
Apr 24, 2024 by
CPI
Antitrust Mix by CPI
Antitrust Chronicle® – Economics of Criminal Antitrust
Apr 19, 2024 by
CPI
Navigating Economic Expert Work in Criminal Antitrust Litigation
Apr 19, 2024 by
CPI
The Increased Importance of Economics in Cartel Cases
Apr 19, 2024 by
CPI
A Law and Economics Analysis of the Antitrust Treatment of Physician Collective Price Agreements
Apr 19, 2024 by
CPI
Information Exchange In Criminal Antitrust Cases: How Economic Testimony Can Tip The Scales
Apr 19, 2024 by
CPI