Australia's competition watchdog tonight issued a strongly worded statement of concern that the proposed merger of mobile carriers Hutchison and Vodafone could lead to increased retail prices on mobile telephony and broadband services.
Vodafone and Hutchison executives have confirmed that they would make staff cuts to reach the $2 billion in savings they hope to achieve from the merger, but analysts doubt whether it will lead to a better outcome for customers.
VHA expects to have finalised its current extensive review of its newly merged workforce by the end of September, the mobile carrier's chief executive Nigel Dews said today.
Newly merged mobile telco VHA has announced it will extend Vodafone's iPhone 3G S to 3 Mobile Australia customers, who have previously not been able to buy an iPhone through its telco.
Vodafone and Hutchison Telecommunications, which delivers 3 mobile services, have today announced that they will merge their Australian operations in a 50:50 joint venture.
Optus, Vodafone and Three have long struggled to match Telstra's reach outside the capital cities. Vodafone's major network upgrade is the best chance yet to dilute Next G's rural monopoly, but questions remain.
Sure, better 3G coverage is good for competition, but it's what you do with the 3G that will ultimately make the difference. As Vodafone expands its network footprint, the practice of selling 3G-enabled netbooks like mobile phones should really resonate with end users.
The ACCC is concerned that a Vodafone-Hutchison merger will stifle mobile competition, but after new figures reveal systematic deception by carriers it's prudent to ask: could the merger really make things any worse than they already are?
Singapore Telecommunications last week shed light on the difficult industry dynamics that lay ahead of VHA, the mobile phone business being formed from the merger of Vodafone Australia and Hutchison Telecommunications.
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