Overview
Global Competition Review quoted Ronan Scanlan in an article titled, "Vodafone/Three Win Marks 'Paradigm Shift', Experts Say." The article discusses how the Competition and Markets Authority's clearance of Vodafone/Three with a novel investment remedy has signaled a shift in UK merger enforcement that may echo beyond its borders.
Speaking to Global Competition Review about clearance of the joint venture Scanlan said: "the CMA's approval of this type of merger is unprecedented, adding that clearing a four-to-three telecoms merger based on novel behavioral remedies marks 'a paradigm shift in UK merger control.' Until now, the agency has either cleared vertical mergers or sought to block horizontal mergers in the sector. This has all changed with Vodafone/Three."
But Scanlan said the repercussions may also be felt outside the telecoms sector.
"It will be far harder in future for the CMA to credibly challenge mergers in any market, including tech markets, particularly those with many more players, on highly speculative theories of harm, with little or no evidence, or reject behavioral remedies in even highly concentrated markets," he said.
