EU antitrust regulators have launched a full investigation into Hutchison Whampoa’s £10.3bn (€14.4m) bid for British mobile operator O2, concerned that the deal may push up prices.

Vodafone has agreed to buy Spain’s largest cable operator Ono for €7.2bn, the latest big deal in the European telecoms sector.

Vodafone Ireland gained 400 customers a day in the last quarter, according to the company’s interim management statement, despite the group describing Europe as difficult.