More leaks on UK radio network sharing emerge

VODAFONE IS proceeding with its proposed RAN (Radio Access network) sharing agreement with Orange. However, the whole thing has still got to get passed the UK's OFT (Office of Fair Trading.

According to our Vodafone mole, the OFT has yet to give the all clear for the merger. This is a situation which 3 and T-Mobile will be closely monitoring as they're planning a similar venture, too.

The management has told Vodafone staff that OFT approval is not a sure thing so there may still be a few issues to be resolved.

The hope is that the deal with Orange will be completed by Q1 2008 and the plan is for the joint venture to go live date by Spring 2008.

The big question is who will actually be in charge of the joint network's operations and maintenance?

The mole says the joint venture is going to be offering potential suppliers the chance to tender their offers within a month. The INQ's money is on Ericsson winning the contract.

Staff at Vodafone are naturally curious as to whether they will all be TUPE'd (transfer of employment to supplier) over to the new joint venture, and if that'll mean redundancies or just everyone getting transferred.

Perhaps an isolated O2 is secretly hoping that the OFT won't give the go ahead, although the INQ can see no real reason why it should refuse permission. µ

See Also
3UK and T-Mobile to share networks
No progress on Vodafone, Orange link