Vodafone UK Response to CMA Provisional Findings

CMA's Provisional Findings

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has published its provisional findings on its investigation into the UK mobile market. The CMA has provisionally found that Vodafone, along with other mobile network operators (MNOs), may have breached competition law by entering into agreements that prevented or restricted the supply of wholesale mobile services on fair and reasonable terms.

The CMA's provisional findings are based on its investigation into the supply of wholesale mobile services in the UK. The CMA has provisionally found that Vodafone, along with other MNOs, may have entered into agreements that prevented or restricted the supply of wholesale mobile services on fair and reasonable terms. These agreements may have prevented or restricted other MNOs from entering the market or expanding their market share, and may have resulted in higher prices for consumers.

Vodafone's Response

Vodafone has responded to the CMA's provisional findings. Vodafone has stated that it believes that the CMA's provisional findings are incorrect and that it will be vigorously defending its position.

Vodafone has stated that it has always competed on its merits and that it has never entered into any agreements that have prevented or restricted the supply of wholesale mobile services on fair and reasonable terms.

Next Steps

The CMA will now consider the responses from Vodafone and the other MNOs before making a final decision on its investigation. The CMA's final decision is expected to be published in the summer of 2023.

If the CMA finds that Vodafone has breached competition law, it could impose a fine of up to 10% of Vodafone's annual turnover in the UK.