Orange and MásMóvil have officially sealed their merger deal, marking a significant development in Spain’s telecom sector. The joint venture, which holds equal shares from both companies, is poised to become a dominant force in the market. Despite the completion of the merger, the new entity is still without a definitive name, leaving industry observers speculating on its future identity.
Breaking new ground in the European telecoms sector, France’s Orange and Spain’s MásMóvil have won European Commission approval for their joint venture with a proviso. A stipulation of the deal instances Romania’s Digi – Spain’s largest MVNO – to acquire spectrum from MásMóvil. With this move, Digi could transform into the fourth mobile operator for the Spanish market.
In a long-anticipated move, telecommunications giants Digi, Orange, and MasMovil have finalized agreements as part of their ongoing merger negotiations. The trio is seeking the European Commission’s approval to resume the halted approval process, which stalled in July.
In a bold amalgamation move, Orange and MasMovil are set to combine their Spanish telecom operations in a €19 billion deal. European regulators, however, have expressed concerns, fearing a spike in consumer costs due to a potential market monopoly. To address these apprehensions, Orange and MasMovil are shedding some assets, with Romanian telecom Digi earmarked to acquire parts of the business, paving the way for a more competitive landscape. Californian tech enthusiasts, early adopters and IT professionals are keenly observing this development, which is seen as a yardstick for regulator sentiment towards large-scale telecom consolidation in Europe.
European Commission’s concerns over the Orange-MasMovil merger in Spain may hinder the deal, potentially affecting competition within the country’s telecommunications market. Remedies, such as wholesale access to virtual players, could be proposed to address objections and prevent price increases for consumers.
Vodafone explores potential sale of its Spanish operations as the European Commission investigates Orange Spain and MasMovil merger, impacting competition in the telecom sector. The outcome could influence Vodafone’s decision, with potential investors such as Apollo Global Management and Apax Partners being considered.
Spain’s telecom sector is set for transformation as Ericsson partners with MasOrange, the country’s largest mobile operator, to develop an open, programmable network. This five-year collaboration aims to enhance network performance and support the rollout of 5G in rural areas.
MasOrange, Spain’s leading mobile operator, is set to reduce Chinese equipment in its 5G network to mitigate geopolitical risks. From 2024, Huawei’s share will drop as Ericsson’s increases, targeting a full elimination by 2029. This transition ensures a robust 5G expansion, bolstering coverage across 100% of municipalities over 10,000 residents.
Spanish telecom giant Telefonica and Digi have signed a 16-year mobile network agreement effective January 1, 2025. This deal enhances their collaboration, covering National Roaming and RAN sharing services. By leveraging Telefonica’s superior infrastructure, Digi can transition from an MVNO to a full-fledged MNO, ensuring high-quality VoIP services.
French telecommunications giant Orange is reportedly exploring the sale of its 40% stake in Mauritius Telecom, according to sources cited by Bloomberg. While Orange has engaged with advisers on the potential sale, discussions with Mauritius Telecom’s board about a possible buyback have not yet occurred.
