Vodafone and CK Hutchison are close to finalizing a merger of their British operations, with an announcement expected as soon as Friday or early next week, according to three sources.
Under the deal, Vodafone would own 51% and Hutchison 49% of the combined group, worth around £15bn ($18.6bn), including debt. Talks to create Britain's biggest mobile operator have been protracted, but the tie-up would give the new company 27 million customers, overtaking BT's EE and VM O2.
The deal will face intense regulatory scrutiny, as it reduces the number of networks in major markets from four to three.
