Jurisdiction(s):
United Kingdom

Key definition

Mobile Virtual Network Operator definition

What does Mobile Virtual Network Operator mean? A mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) is a communications provider that offers retail mobile services (voice, SMS and data) to end-users over another provider’s radio access network, typically without holding its own licensed spectrum. MVNOs buy wholesale capacity from a host mobile network operator (MNO) and may run anything from a full core network to a light reseller model. MVNO is a descriptive industry term, not defined in UK or Irish legislation or case law. Ofcom and ComReg use it in guidance; relevant obligations arise under the general electronic communications framework (for example, the Communications Act 2003 and the EECC as...

CMA phase 2 merger review: BT's acquisition of EE – UK telecoms vertical and horizontal effects assessed; unconditional clearance; no substantial lessening of competition (2016)

Published by a LexisNexis Competition expert

Practice notes

CASE HUB ARCHIVED – this archived case hub reflects the position at the date of the decision of 15 January 2016; it is no longer maintained. See further, timeline, commentary and related cases.

Case facts

Outline

UK merger inquiry into BT Group plc’s proposed acquisition of EE Limited. The deal features horizontal overlaps and other non-horizontal matters within the telecommunications industry.

Latest developments

On 15 January 2016, the CMA cleared the merger without conditions, endorsing its provisional conclusions.

Parties

BT Group plc (BT). BT is a UK-based business and the largest provider of fixed communications services nationwide. It also operates as a Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO). BT supplies numerous fixed services to other communications providers, including mobile backhaul for mobile operators (such as EE, O2, Three and Vodafone), linking radio masts to their core networks. BT also delivers wholesale Broadband to communications providers (including EE). BT’s Openreach unit, regulated by Ofcom, is the Local access network (the ‘first mile’) connecting customers to their local telephone exchange and managing wholesale/local loop unbundling (LLU) handover points within exchanges...

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