Vodafone Three Deal Risks Harming Consumers, UK’s CMA Says (3)

The UK challenged Vodafone Group Plc and Three’s claims that their £15 billion ($19.7 billion) combination would leave the country’s mobile networks better off, saying the deal raises serious competition concerns, while still leaving the deal a potential path to completion.

The Competition and Markets Authority said Friday that it had found issues with the combination, with price rises and customers getting a reduced service particularly of concern. However, it did find the merger could improve the quality of the mobile networks.

The deal with the Hong Kong billionaire Li family’s CK Hutchison Holdings Ltd. would see the two smallest ...