EU to rule on O2 takeover next month

EU competition regulators will decide by June 20 whether to clear Hutchison Whampoa’s €700m offer for Telefonica’s 02 Ireland mobile phone business after receiving further details about the Hong Kong-based group’s concessions.

The European Commission last month halted its scrutiny of the deal pending additional information from Hutchison.

Controlled by Asia’s richest man Li Ka-shing, the company is seeking to boost its position in Europe where it operates in six national mobile markets, including Ireland with its Three business.