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Originally Posted by 1andrew1
Interesting. I wonder if this might flush some counter-offers out? Vodafone might be tempted by VM now that an external value has been placed on VM. And Comcast may be tempted to buy O2.
However, if the combination of O2 and VM does take place, VM-O2 will be the mobile carrier for Sky potentially raising the chances of Sky Atlantic appearing on the V6.
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I don't think Vodafone will spoil the party and attempt to merge with VM itself for a few reasons. Firstly, they've been dancing around each other for years and nothing happened and secondly, Vodafone's boss made it clear that he didn't want to be part of Malone's tax "planning" scheme and get loaded up with debt. So, I think this VM/O2 merger will go ahead
But, that does leave Vodafone out in the cold now with two very powerful multiplatform competitors, so I would not be surprised if Vodafone bought TalkTalk with its 4 million plus broadband customers and possibly CityFibre too. Vodafone and CiryFibre have been working together on various FTTP projects around the country, so it could be a good combination. Last, but not least there is 3, which is very much in a distant fourth place here and I expect something to happen to them too at some point.
And, as you say, where does this leave Comcast? A cable co without a cable network or mobile outfit. I think more mergers are likely now.
I don't think we'll see any moves by Comcast yet, as it's busy dealing the collapse of its film/tv business', but in the future, I expect them to make some sort of move.