EC to investigate Vodafone-Mannesmann deal

NEWS The Vodafone AirTouch merger with Mannesmann will face tough scrutiny from the European Commission before the deal is truly sealed. The commission is set to widen its review from considering the impact of the deal to the British and German mobile markets, to European telecoms as a whole, according to reports in the UK's Financial Times. This is likely to extend the time limit for the deal to be ratified from 7 February to the 28 February. The future of mobile operator Orange, a subsidiary of Mannesmann and rival to Vodafone in the UK mobile arena, is certain to come under close consideration in the review.