Vodafone and Three will need to study the Working Paper in detail. From what the CMA has communicated so far this morning, we believe it provides a path to final clearance. 

From being able to work while commuting to reduced delays and smoother journeys, 5G SA can help change rail and road transport in the UK for the better.

Vodafone and Three UK disagree with the CMA’s Provisional Findings that their merger raises competition concerns and could lead to price rises for customers.

Five million people are currently missing out on 5G in the UK, creating a ‘connectivity gap’ that threatens to widen the existing digital divide between some rural or deprived communities and the rest of the country.

5G-connected technologies in public buildings could help councils slash their energy bills, saving taxpayer cash and reducing their carbon emissions.

No national security objections to the proposed merger between the two companies, with the merged entity meeting certain conditions.

From hospitality to ticketing, matchday trade at stadia would benefit from a countrywide 5G SA rollout.

An in-depth Phase 2 review was an expected next step in the process of the planned merger between Vodafone UK and Three UK. It is in line with the timeframe for completion that we set out from the outset.

While the UK is undoubtedly one of the best places to start a new business, it risks being outpaced by European rivals that are investing in reliable, superfast 5G connectivity at a faster rate.

The report supports the growing need for 5G SA infrastructure in the UK, as the proposed Vodafone and Three merger paves the way for UK 5G SA leadership with a pledge to invest £11 billion and reach over 99% of the UK population with 5G SA by 2034.

This would be equivalent to removing 700,000 petrol cars from the UK's roads by 2035.

If 5G technologies were applied across the food and drink supply chain, they could save 37 million tonnes of CO2e equivalent emissions between 2024 and 2035. That’s the same as removing 78,000 delivery trucks from UK roads. 

A meta-study of four-to-three mergers among mobile network operators across the world shows that there is no basis for assuming that such mergers automatically lead to higher prices.

New research shows that the use of 5G-enabled technology in health and social care settings could save the NHS up to £1 billion a year - equivalent to employing 15,400 full-time nurses – helping to reduce pressure on front-line staff.

The finding that over half of UK adults believe 5G has the potential to improve their day-to-day lives follows the news of Vodafone UK's planned merger with Three UK to accelerate the delivery of a world-class 5G network.