A number of TalkTalk’s UK broadband customers have informed us that, since as far back as Wednesday last week, they’ve been unable to access BT’s website and some related online services (e.g. email and the BTSport App). The issue seems to be due to an unspecified fault with the provider’s Domain Name Service (DNS). A […]

London-focused broadband ISP CommunityFibre, which is deploying a multi-gigabit speed Fibre-to-the-Premises (FTTP) broadband network to cover 2.2 million premises by the end of 2024 (mostly in the UK’s capital city), has confirmed that its future build plan will stretch into parts of Hertfordshire, Essex and Surrey. At present CommunityFibre have been clear that their full […]

BT’s Chief Security and Networks Officer, Howard Watson, has revealed that the operator has just completed a live field trial that, for the “first time ever“, made it possible for them to deploy a 4G (LTE) mobile cell site that was backhauled (data capacity) over OneWeb’s constellation of Low Earth Orbit (LEO) broadband satellites. OneWeb […]

Several credible sources have informed ISPreview that BT, most likely via EE – their soon-to-be “flagship brand for consumers“, have set themselves a target of being the first UK broadband ISP to market with a WiFi 7 (802.11be) capable router (SmartHub 4). The hope is to be ready by early 2024, but June 2024 is […]

News

The £15 billion merger would drastically reshape the UK mobile market, creating a new market leader with 28 million customers

This week, a report from The Financial Times suggests that the long-awaited merger between Vodafone UK and Three UK is soon to become reality, with an announcement expected later this month.

Sources suggest that negotiations between the two companies are almost finished, with the deal valued at around £15 billion, around £6 billion of which is debt.

Rumours that the two companies have been considering a merger have been circling for years, though discussions between the two companies were only formally acknowledged in October last year.

Initial outlines suggest that the merger will see majority ownership of the combined entity go to Vodafone with a 51% stake, while CK Hutchison, Three UK’s owner, taking the remaining 49% stake. Rumours even suggest that the deal could be something of a steppingstone for Hutchison to exit the UK market entirely, likely by selling off its minority stake to Vodafone at a later date.

Vodafone’s interim CEO Margherita Della Valle took on the role permanently last month, a move that likely steadied the ship and helped advance negotiations with Hutchison.

Naturally, such a mega merger would present a huge shakeup for the UK telecoms market, shrinking the country’s mobile ecosystem down to just three players.

In the past, regulatory bodies within both the UK and the EU have been loathe to allow just three mobile players in a single market; in fact, this was one of the main reasons why the Telefonica’s O2 was disallowed from merging with Three back in 2016.

In recent years, however, the regulatory landscape has gradually grown more relaxed when it comes to major M&A. Earlier this year, for example, European Commissioner Thierry Breton said there were “no taboos” when it came to mergers in the telecoms space, especially when doing so would encourage cross-market consolidation.

But despite regulators warming to the concept of major telecoms mergers, it seems likely they will still impose some form of restrictions on any tie-up between Three and Vodafone. Exactly what stipulations might be imposed on the two companies is unclear, but they could include price freezes for customers and various network rollout assurances, particularly in rural areas.

How would the merger of Vodafone and Three impact the UK’s telecoms industry?  Join the ecosystem in discussion at this year’s live Connected Britain conference

Also in the news:
ECTA calls on the European Commission to think again
Research claims FTTH reduces internet CO2 emissions by a third
Fibre will underpin our 5G future, says ITS Technology Group at Connected North

Network provider Openreach (BT) has introduced a special “Equinox Waiver” for smaller broadband ISPs. The change means they will be entitled to Equinox connection and rental discounts on the operator’s Fibre-to-the-Premises (FTTP) broadband products, but without needing to meet the Fibre Only Target or Fibre Only Threshold. Just to be clear, this relates to the […]

Press Release

This week, Air Canada and Bell have announced a multi-year partnership that will make it even easier to stay connected — both on the ground and in the skies. The partnership delivers on Air Canada and Bell’s longstanding commitments to elevating the customer experience, while focusing on added benefits for newcomers and visitors to Canada, preparing them to connect to Canada’s best network as soon as they land.

Starting May 15, Air Canada and Bell will offer free messaging for all Aeroplan members worldwide on all Wi-Fi equipped aircraft across Air Canada’s fleet, including Air Canada Rouge and Air Canada Express flights. This offering will enable customers to send and receive text-based messages via onboard Wi-Fi using popular messaging apps including Apple’s iMessage, Meta’s WhatsApp and Messenger, Rakuten’s Viber, and Messages by Google.  Also, this benefit will be available to strategic partner airline loyalty members, including customers of United MileagePlus, Lufthansa Group Miles & More and Emirates Skywards when their account numbers are associated with an Air Canada booking.

Additionally, with this new partnership, newcomers and visitors to Canada will gain easy and immediate ways to stay connected as they arrive in Canada. With complimentary mobile SIM cards on select inbound international flights, newcomers and visitors can activate in flight, allowing them to walk off the plane and be connected.

In keeping with Air Canada and Bell’s commitment to its customers, this partnership will enable additional areas of collaboration and customer benefit, including the development and offering of Aeroplan promotional rewards, as well as building upon Air Canada’s award-winning in-flight entertainment offering with the expansion of Live TV service on flights to the U.S., expected later this summer.

“Canadians are at the centre of this exciting new partnership. We’re so proud to join with an iconic brand to deliver real value to customers across the country, and, importantly, to those new to our country. This multi-faceted partnership with Bell will allow Air Canada customers to keep in touch with friends, family, or colleagues wherever they travel. What’s more, we’re elated that Bell will be joining as the latest Aeroplan partner, creating another way for members to travel more, and travel better,” said Mark Nasr, Executive Vice President, Marketing and Digital, and President of Aeroplan at Air Canada.

“We’re excited to partner with Air Canada, and innovate on delivering enhanced experiences for our customers. For those new to Canada or visiting, we recognize how important it is to stay connected with family and friends, and the new opportunities being connected can bring. Many are already familiar with Bell and know we offer the best network, and we’re thrilled to be making it even easier for them to connect when they arrive in Canada,” said Claire Gillies, Executive Vice President, Marketing and President Consumer at Bell.

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Also in the news:
ECTA calls on the European Commission to think again
Research claims FTTH reduces internet CO2 emissions by a third
Fibre will underpin our 5G future, says ITS Technology Group at Connected North

Customers of mobile operator EE (BT) may be pleased to learn that they’ll be zero-rating data (free usage) across their entire mobile network for the Coronation of King Charles III on Saturday 6th and Sunday 7th May 2023, “as the nation unites to celebrate the crowning of His Majesty” (yeah.. ok). Just to be absolutely […]

New customers of Virgin Media Business (VMO2) can, from today, now choose to take one of their new Flex offerings, which enables small businesses to move either up or down between different “VOOM Fibre” broadband package options (i.e. customers can “flex” or change their package every 30 days). Apparently the goal is to ensure that […]

Mobile operator O2 (VMO2) has launched a new campaign today that calls on their rivals to “Stop the Smartphone Swindle” by introducing changes that would prevent consumers overpaying for mobile phones they already own. But EE (BT), Vodafone and Three UK say they already offer such packages. According to Virgin Media O2’s new research, “millions […]