Britain could operate with fewer mobile networks, says Three chief

The number of mobile network operators in Britain could soon drop from four to three, according to the chief executive of the UK's smallest carrier.

Three, which has 7.8 million customers and 10% of the market, has previously opposed consolidation in the UK, arguing that prices would rise and consumers would suffer.

"Under the right circumstances the UK could operate competitively with three or with five," said Three chief executive David Dyson, predicting a round of consolidation in Europe from 2014. Any mergers would have to ensure balance in the market, leaving a trio of strong players at the end of the process, he added.

Dyson was responding to speculation that Three, which is owned by the wealthy Hong Kong conglomerate Hutchison Whampoa, could look to buy O2 in Britain, as it is currently seeking to do in Ireland. With outsiders such as America's AT&T looking to enter the European market, bankers are predicting a wave of mega-mergers and acquisitions starting next year.

Three opposed the 2010 merger of T-Mobile and Orange, which reduced competition from five to four players in Britain, and has sided with the telecoms watchdog Ofcom in arguing for a minimum of four competitors. During the last spectrum auction, Three secured special protection from Ofcom to ensure it was not outbid and could continue to challenge the big three – EE, O2 and Vodafone.

http://www.theguardian.com/business/2013/dec/04/britain-mobile-network-operators-three-david-dyson

Market share: Mobile operators UK 2013

http://www.statista.com/statistics/279993/market-share-of-mobile-phone-operators-in-the-united-kingdom-uk/

Bharti Airtel is World's Fourth Largest Mobile Operator

Bharti Airtel, India's leading telecommunication service provider, has been ranked fourth largest operator in the world in terms of subscribers in the latest Wireless Intelligence 'Scoreboard' operator ranking.

According to the Wireless Intelligence 'Scoreboard' report, Bharti Airtel has 250 million mobile subscribers across its operations by the end of June 2012. Bharti Airtel took over Telefonica Group with a growth of 13 percent over the year.

"However, Bharti's US$3.04 billion in mobile revenue in Q2 2012 is significantly lower than the four other operators in the top five, reflecting Bharti's presence in the ultra low-cost, low-margin Indian and African markets," said the report.

The first position has been occupied by the China Mobile with 683.08 million connections and is followed by Vodafone Group with 386.88 million connections, America Movil Group with 251.83 million connections, Bharti Airtel with 250.04 million connections and Telefonica Group with 243.51 million connections. Airtel functions in 20 countries across South Asia, Africa and the Channel Islands. 

http://www.ibtimes.co.in/bharti-airtel-is-world039s-fourth-largest-mobile-operator-396848