BT Group gets approval to acquire EE

(ShareCast News) - The Competition and Markets Authority has approved BT Group's plans to acquire EE, bringing together the UK's largest fixed telecoms business and the UK's largest mobile telecoms business.The approval was granted on Friday unconditionally without remedies, and allows the telco to acquire the joint venture between Deutsche Telekom and Orange S.A for £12.5bn at the end of the month.The CMA said it decided that the merger is not expected to result in a substantial lessening of competition in the UK, believing the companies "operate largely in separate areas".CMA Inquiry Chair John Wotton noted the retail mobile services market in the UK is competitive."As BT is a smaller operator in mobile, it is unlikely that the merger will have a significant effect."Similarly, EE is only a minor player in retail broadband, so again it is unlikely that the merger will have a significant effect in this market."Wotton also noted that the acquisition wouldn't give the expanded group "the ability and the incentive to disadvantage competitors" in supplying backhaul, wholesale mobile or wholesale broadband.BT Chief Executive Gavin Patterson is pleased the CMA found there was no significant lessening of competition after the 10 month investigation."The combined BT and EE will be a digital champion for the UK, providing high levels of investment and driving innovation in a highly competitive market."I have no doubt that consumers, businesses and communities will benefit as we combine the power of fibre broadband with the convenience of leading edge mobile services."BT Group said it will begin the formal process of completing the deal today, with the deal set to close on January 29 when Deutsche Telekom and Orange will receive shares in BT.Deutsche Telekom will hold a 12% stake in BT, while Orange will hold a 4% stake.A representative of Deutsche Telekom will also be appointed to the board in due course.BT also said it will incorporate the business into the wider group in the coming months.Marc Allera will head up EE once the deal is finalised.