City Of London
Vodafone and Three UK Battle Roadblocks to Mobile Tie-Up
- Regulatory and political considerations hold up deal talks
- Merger further complicated by Vodafone CEO’s impending exit
Photographer: Jason Alden/Bloomberg
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Vodafone Group Plc and Three UK are battling to overcome a raft of regulatory and political hurdles threatening to derail efforts to create Britain’s largest mobile operator, people familiar with the matter said.
Discussions between Vodafone and Three’s owner CK Hutchison Holdings Ltd. have been delayed in recent weeks by considerations about the integration and impact of their proposed tie-up, the people said, asking not to be identified discussing confidential information. Things have been further complicated by news that Vodafone’s Chief Executive Officer Nick Read will stand down at the end of the year, they added.