BT urges CMA to fast-track investigation on EE deal

Telecoms giant BT has asked the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) to move onto a full investigation of its £12.5m takeover bid for UK mobile network operator EE from Orange and Deutsche Telekom.In a statement released on Monday, the FTSE 100 group said it had formally asked CMA to bypass the Phase 1 process, which consists of a preliminary review, to move directly onto a Phase 2 investigation.The competition watchdog has monitored the proposed merger closely, as it would combine BT's 10m retail customers and its 38% share of landline market with EE's 24.5m direct mobile customers, which account for approximately 33% of the mobile market."This request is to allow the CMA efficiently to consider any complex issues in depth without delay, and offers a shorter end-to-end review period compared to the CMA's usual processes," BT said.In a short statement in response to BT's request, the CMA said it was currently considering whether to fast track the case.However, broadband providers Talk Talk and Sky, which buy wholesale access to BT's landline network, have urged industry regulator Ofcom to prevent BT from completing the acquisition, which was first announced in December.BT said it expected the deal to be finalised in March 2016.BT shares were down 0.32% to 461.50p at 15:57 on Monday.