Vodafone / CK Hutchison JV merger inquiry
The CMA is investigating the anticipated joint venture between Vodafone Group Plc and CK Hutchison Holdings Limited concerning Vodafone Limited and Hutchison 3G UK Limited.
Further information on How we investigated the Vodafone / Three merger can be located on the dedicated guidance page.
Phase 2
Administrative timetable
Referral date: 4 April 2024
Statutory deadline: 7 December 2024
- (18.11.24)
Contact
Final report
5 December 2024: The CMA has published its final report.
- (5.12.24)
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- Press notice: CMA clears Vodafone / Three merger, subject to legally binding commitments (5.12.24)
Evidence
The publication of the evidence of any party on the CMA’s webpages does not indicate in any way endorsement by the CMA of the views expressed in the evidence or acceptance of that evidence. Publication in this way is designed to assist public understanding of the issues.
Responses to remedies working paper
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Remedies working paper
5 November 2024: The remedies working paper sets out the CMA’s assessment of, and provisional decision on, the appropriate remedy to address the competition concerns identified in the provisional findings.
Deadline to submit responses: now closed
- (5.11.24)
- Press release: CMA provisionally finds Vodafone / Three could address competition concerns through network investment and customer protections (5.11.24)
Responses to provisional findings
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Responses to possible remedies
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Provisional findings
13 September 2024: The CMA has provisionally found competition concerns as part of its in-depth investigation of the anticipated joint venture between Vodafone Group Plc and CK Hutchison Holdings Limited concerning Vodafone Limited and Hutchison 3G UK Limited.
Deadline to submit responses: now closed
- (16.9.24)
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(16.9.24)
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- Press notice: CMA sets out provisional view on Vodafone / Three merger (13.9.24)
Other third party submissions
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Notice of extension of statutory period
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Initial submission
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Responses to the issues statement
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Notice of extension of inquiry period
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Issues statement
2 May 2024: The issues statement sets out the scope of the inquiry. It outlines initial theories on what might be adversely affecting competition, but it does not set out findings or conclusions. The deadline for submissions on the issues statement is 5pm on Thursday 16 May 2024.
- (2.5.24)
Inquiry group appointed
4 April 2024: The CMA has appointed the inquiry group:
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.
- (4.4.24)
Phase 1
Statutory timetable
| Phase 1 | Action |
|---|---|
| 22 March 2024 | Decision announced |
| 26 January 2024 to 9 February 2024 | Invitation to comment |
| 26 January 2024 | Launch of merger inquiry |
| 11 October 2023 to 1 November 2023 | Preliminary invitation to comment |
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.
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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.
- (29.4.24)
- (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.
- (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 CMA’s formal investigation starting.
- (11.10.23)
- Press notice: CMA seeks views on Vodafone’s merger with rival network Three (11.10.23)
Contact
Please send written representations about any competition issues to: Vodafone.Three@cma.gov.uk.
Updates to this page
Published 11 October 2023Last updated 5 December 2024 + show all updates
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Final report, appendices and glossary published.
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Summary of final report published.
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Supplementary responses to the remedies working paper published.
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Response to remedies working paper added.
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Administrative timetable update, and 3 responses to remedies working paper published.
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Responses to the working paper published.
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Remedies working paper, responses to provisional findings, and update to responses to the notice of possible remedies published.
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Remedies working paper announced and press release published.
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Administrative timetable updated.
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3 additional responses to the notice of provisional findings published.
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Published second batch of responses to the notice of possible remedies.
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Published first batch of responses to the notice of possible remedies.
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Parties’ response to the notice of possible remedies published
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Full text of provisional findings and appendices published
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Summary of provisional findings published
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Other third party submissions published.
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Administrative timetable and notice of extension published.
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BTEE’s supplemental response to the issues statement published.
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Initial submission published.
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Responses to issues statement published
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Notice of termination of extension published and administrative timetable updated.
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Notice of extension published.
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Issues statement published
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Full text for reference unless undertakings accepted published
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Administrative timetable published.
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Decision to refer and terms of reference published.
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Phase 1 decision announced and summary document published.
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Merger inquiry launched and commencement notice published.
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Invitation to comment: Closed
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First published.