Infrastructure Sharing Deal Likely between O2 and Vodafone
Posted in Emptor Infos, School of Technology, Telecommunication Hall on March 20th, 2009According to a report in the Guardian, O2 and Vodafone - two of the most well known telecom providers in the
T-mobile and 3 UK are already into a similar partnership, and if Vodafone and O2 are able to form the alliance, it is being speculated that Orange will be left with no alternative, but to join the T-Mobile - 3 UK camp. The arrangement would see the companies sharing most of their network infrastructure and base stations; however, what it would not entail is a brand merger, meaning that both Vodafone and O2 will retain their current identity in the market.
The deal will be of special importance to O2 broadband, which is not doing well in terms of coverage in the rural areas. It is expected that after the partnership, Vodafone will help fill the holes in O2’s service.
With respect to auctions of the 4G spectrum, the deal could be of major significance, as lower competition would mean that prices too would be reduced.
Once the companies finalize the terms, the deal will have to be cleared by the Office of Fair Trading and the Competition Commission. The two companies have so far not divulged any details on the deal in public.

