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Vodafone and Hutch look at Irish deal
04 July 2012
Vodafone and Hutchison Whampoa discuss network sharing in Ireland, but will keep spectrum and brands
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Vodafone
Hutchison
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infrastructure sharing
Vodafone and Hutchison Whampoa are in discussions to merge their phone infrastructure in Ireland, Bloomberg reports, citing two people familiar with the development. The sources stated that the operators are nearing a deal, but no agreement has been signed yet.
Hutchison operates under the Three brand in Ireland and other countries. In May it made a failed €2 billion bid to buy the bankrupt Irish incumbent Eircom.
The sources also told Bloomberg that the companies intend to maintain their separate spectrum and brands in the country.
The deal follows a 2011 agreement between Eircom and Telefónica O2 to combine their infrastructure.
Vodafone and Telefónica O2 have already announced plans to share their UK phone infrastructure in order to lower costs. Telefónica also has network sharing agreements with T-Mobile in the Czech Republic and Vodafone in Spain.
Vodafone and Hutchison have also merged their networks in Australia. GTB
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