Vodafone action against regulator

Vodafone Ireland has brought a legal action against communications regulator ComReg arising from concerns about the effect on its competitive interests of the acquisition of O2 by rival company Hutchison for merger into 3 Ireland.

Eileen Barrington, counsel for Vodafone, argued the regulator should take certain steps in relation to this merger as it meant half of the total spectrum used for radio communications in Ireland was coming under the control of Hutchison.

The acquisition means Vodafone has been placed at a significant competitive disadvantage, counsel said.