The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) said the merger of Vodafone and Three has "the potential to be pro-competitive for the UK mobile sector".

A £15bn merger between Vodafone and Three is on course to be given the green light after Sir Keir Starmer vowed to “rip up” red tape blocking investment in Britain. The two mobile operators have been told they must freeze prices for the next three years if they want their tie-up to be approved by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA).

Vodafone’s deal to merge its U.K. business with rival operator Three could proceed if competition concerns are addressed, the country’s antitrust authority said.

The merger between Vodafone and Hutchison's Three UK is likely to be given the go ahead as investment commitments overcome concerns over competition, a British regulator said in a provisional ruling on Tuesday.