GovWire

Phase 1

Statutory timetable

(*) This date is the current statutory deadline by when the decision will be announced. If any change occurs, the information is refreshed as soon as practicable. However, the CMA cannot guarantee that the decision will be announced on or before this current deadline, as the deadline of a given case may change during the merger assessment process due to different reasons.

Phase 1

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: closes 9 February 2024

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.