The proposed takeover of mobile group EE by BT is being looked into by the Competition and Markets Authority. The group will be looking into the impact the £12.5bn deal will have on mobile and broadband markets.
The watchdog organisation will be requesting early views on the deals potential impact, including BT’s provision of connections between competitors’ mobile masts and the retail markets for fixed and mobile voice, data and broadband.
The deal, which has already come in for criticism from some of BT’s rivals, is expected to face a hard fought campaign by competitors to win better access to BT’s national fibre broadband network.
BT commented on the matter: "We are pleased the CMA has begun to ask industry for its views. This was always going to be part of the process, and we welcome the fact that industry is being given an early opportunity to provide comments."
"We believe the proposed acquisition will be positive for consumers, businesses and the UK, with BT creating a world-class digital infrastructure for Britain."
The acquisition of EE by BT will see the group have a 31% share of subscribers of consumer mobile, as well as 35% of subscribers in consumer broadband.
BT‘s competitors have recently called for the break-up of Openreach, with TalkTalk and Sky calling for a review of the telecoms sector by Ofcom.
