LONDON British telecom firms Vodafone and Three's multibillion-pound merger could go ahead if the companies adopt a series of proposed remedies to clear competition concerns, regulators said Tuesday. Vodafone has previously said that the combined entity, once merged, would invest £11 billion ($14.46 billion) into U.K. telecommunications infrastructure. Vodafone has also said it disagrees with earlier findings from the CMA that the merger would lead to price increases for consumers. It says the merger wouldn't pricing strategy and would enhance competition between mobile virtual network operators, or MVNOs. "Approval would mark one of the most significant developments in the history of UK mobile, heralding the arrival of a new market leader with over 29 million customers," Manning said in emailed comments.

---

Persons: Margherita Della Valle, Three's, Stuart McIntosh, McIntosh, CK Hutchison, Kester Manning, Manning Organizations: Vodafone, LONDON, Markets Authority, Ofcom, CMA, CNBC, 5G, Sky Mobile, Mobile, CK, CK Hutchison, EE, BT, O2, Telefonica, Liberty Global, CCS Insight Locations: London, British, Hong Kong