BT set fair for major fillip ahead of tomorrow’s EE acquisition
Britain’s mobile sector is set for a period of heightened competition as networks scrabble to respond to tomorrow’s planned mega-merger between BT and EE.
Analysis by Kantar Worldpanel found that the shake-up is likely to leave BT in a strong position to dominate the UK telecommunications sector.
Imran Choudhary, senior analyst at Kantar Worldpanel, said: “Acquiring EE gives BT immediate access to around one in three mobile customers in the UK who already use the EE network. BT already had an agreement with EE to use part of that network, so buying the whole thing leaves BT in a strong position to lead the telecommunications sector in the UK.
“Moving into the mobile market is a must for BT to defend its premium services which are increasingly threatened as other players enhance their triple and quad play offerings.
“The purchase means BT will be able to make use of EE’s 600 plus stores on the high street, giving them a crucial presence which the telecoms giant has lacked since closing its own stores around twenty years ago.”
The combined entity would boast a customer base of 10m BT retail consumers and 24.5m EE mobile subscribers.