Networks consider carving up Phones4u

The major UK phone networks are looking at breaking up Phones4u and dividing up the stores in a similar fashion to how they split TheLink.

Orange in particular has been running it's slide rule over taking over the whole of the retail chain, but it is thought more likely if a price agreement was reached with hedge fund owners that the stores would be divided up amongst at least three if not all five of the UK networks with the aim of lowering competition on the High Street and restoring pricing.


Separately Vodafone is being rumoured again to be looking at acquiring T-Mobile in the UK after T-Mobile's parent Deutche Telecom has concluded that it's UK business will remain too small and wants to concentrate on markets that it has a chance of gaining a leadership position in. A takeover by Vodafone would undoubtedly raise competition issues by increasing it's UK market share to around 40%.