Three attacks O2 block

THE owner of the Three mobile network is mounting a legal challenge against a decision by the European Commission to block its £10.3bn bid to acquire O2.

Hutchison said it has lodged an appeal at the European General Court after EU antitrust regulators refused to rubber stamp the tie-up in May, arguing that the deal would have meant higher prices and less choice for the UK’s consumers.

However, even if it is victorious, it is not thought that the deal to acquire O2, owned by Spain’s Telefonica, would be revived.

British communications regulator Ofcom also argued against the Three-O2 deal, dubbing the Commission’s decision the ‘right outcome’ for mobile customers.