14 DAY TRIAL // UK wireless carriers Orange and T-Mobile are expected to become a single entity on April 1, the latest news around the Internet suggest. Moreover, the two companies are also said to plan merging their direct and indirect B2B sales channels by September, yet the two will become one single legal company as soon as April 1.
According to a recent article on Mobile News, the lawyers of the two wireless carriers are expected to close the deal next month, when the new business should be set up with Companies House. Moreover, they are also expected to share confidential financial and customer information at that time, the news site notes.
The name of the new company hasn't been unveiled as of yet, but it will certainly be announced shortly, especially since Orange UK and T-Mobile UK will cease to exist come April 1. However, it seems that the two brands will be retained for the following 18 months, although they will be controlled by the new trading entity, the same as with their assets.
“People will be amazed at how quickly the integration process happens. It is a monumental amount of work but things will happen and be completed quickly. T-Mobile UK and Orange UK will not exist after April 1, being replaced by a new name. It is very hectic,” a source commented on the near merger, Mobile News reports.
Orange's and T-Mobile's direct B2B channels are said to probably merge by July, while the entire consolidation of assets should be quicker than expected, including that of 19,000 employees. The indirect channels should be completely merged by September, and the distribution and elite dealer partners are to be fully reviewed. Richard Moat, T-Mobile UK managing director, is to become the chief operating officer of the new company, while Tom Alexander, Orange UK chief executive, will become chief of the company.