GovWire

Phase 2

Administrative timetable

Referral date: 4 April 2024

Statutory deadline: 18 September 2024

Contact

Vodafone.Three@cma.gov.uk

Inquiry group appointed

4 April 2024: The CMA has appointed the inquiry group:

• Stuart McIntosh (Chair)

• Stephen Rose

• Ashleye Gunn

• Crispin Wright

Terms of reference

4 April 2024: The CMA has referred the anticipated joint venture between Vodafone Group Plc and CK Hutchison Holdings Limited concerning Vodafone Limited and Hutchison 3G UK Limited for an in-depth investigation.

• Terms of reference (PDF, 104KB) (4.4.24)

Phase 1

Statutory timetable

Reference decision

4 April 2024: The CMA has referred the anticipated joint venture between Vodafone Group Plc and CK Hutchison Holdings Limited concerning Vodafone Limited and Hutchison 3G UK Limited for an in-depth investigation, on the basis that, on the information currently available to it, it is or may be the case that this merger may be expected to result in a substantial lessening of competition within a market or markets in the United Kingdom.

• Decision to refer (PDF, 109KB) (4.4.24)

Reference unless undertakings accepted

22 March 2024: The CMA has decided, on the information currently available to it, that it is or may be the case that this merger may be expected to result in a substantial lessening of competition within a market or markets in the United Kingdom. This merger will be referred for a phase 2 investigation unless the parties offer acceptable undertakings to address these competition concerns. The full text of the decision will be published in due course.

• Summary of phase 1 decision (PDF, 161KB) (22.3.24)
• Press notice: Vodafone / Three deal could leave consumers and businesses worse off (22.3.24)

Launch of merger inquiry

26 January 2024: The CMA announced the launch of its merger inquiry by notice to the parties.

• Commencement notice (PDF, 99KB) (26.1.24 )
• Press release: CMA launches formal investigation into Vodafone / Three merger (26.1.24 )

Invitation to comment: now closed

26 January 2024: The CMA has today issued a second invitation to comment, giving all interested third parties a further opportunity to submit views about the impact that the proposed merger could have on competition in the UK. The CMA will take into account all views already submitted as part of its preliminary invitation to comment launched in October 2023 and it is not necessary to re-submit any comments you made previously.

Preliminary invitation to comment: now closed

11 October 2023: The CMA is considering whether it is or may be the case that this transaction, if carried into effect, will result in the creation of a relevant merger situation under the merger provisions of the Enterprise Act 2002 and, if so, whether the creation of that situation may be expected to result in a substantial lessening of competition within any market or markets in the United Kingdom for goods or services.

To assist it with this assessment, the CMA invites comments on the transaction from any interested party, in advance of the CMAs formal investigation starting.

• Preliminary invitation to comment (PDF, 103KB) (11.10.23)
• Press release: CMA seeks views on Vodafones merger with rival network Three (11.10.23)

Contact

Please send written representations about any competition issues to: Vodafone.Three@cma.gov.uk.