RE: Merger18 Nov 2023 19:08
BRUSSELS, Nov 2 (Reuters) - Vodafone (VOD.L) and CK Hutchison's $19 billion mobile merger in Britain does not pose any competition concerns to EU antitrust regulators, according to a European Commission filing.
The companies sought approval from the EU competition enforcer for their bid to create the UK's biggest mobile operator on Oct. 30.
The Commission, which set a Dec. 6 deadline for its decision, is reviewing the deal under its simplified procedure.
The deal in contrast faces intense scrutiny from the UK's Competition and Markets Authority because it will reduce the number of networks from four to three, a threshold which regulators worry could reduce competition.