"Having carefully considered the evidence, as well as the extensive feedback we have received, we believe the merger is likely to boost competition in the UK mobile sector and should be allowed to proceed - but only if Vodafone and Three agree to implement our proposed measures," said Stuart McIntosh, chair of the inquiry group leading the antitrust investigation.
"Today's approval releases the handbrake on the UK's telecoms industry, and the increased investment will power the UK to the forefront of European telecommunications," Vodafone CEO Margherita Della Valle stated.
The approval was subject to both companies signing binding commitments to invest billions into expanding their combined 5G network over the next eight years, addressing previous CMA concerns.
The plan to combine two of the country's top four mobile operators was first announced in 2023, and will create a network with 27 million customers once complete.
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