Vodafone considering T-Mobile buyout

Deal "may be blocked by regulators"

29 June 2009 9:46 GMT / By Duncan Geere

Vodafone is considering a buyout of T-Mobile UK, says the Financial Times, a move that would make it the biggest mobile network in the UK.

Currently, O2 has the largest share of the UK market, but Vodafone's 25% combined with T-Mobile's 15% would give the company two out of every five UK mobile customers.

Neither Vodafone nor T-Mobile would comment, however Deutsche Telekom (which owns T-Mobile) has allegedly appointed JP Morgan to advise on "strategic options".

It's likely that the deal would be intensely questioned by regulators, who would likely be suspicious of any attempt to alter what is currently a very competitive market for mobile phones - the UK is the only major country in Europe with five large mobile operators.

We'll keep you updated of any developments.

Via: ft.com

Full tags

Biz, Phones, Vodafone, T-Mobile