The UK Office of Fair Trading has now asked Brussels for permission to investigate the merger between mobile phone carriers T-Mobile and Orange, and consumer groups have welcomed the news reports an article over on the Guardian.

Which? had mounted a campaign for the OFT to scrutinise the merger rather than Brussels authorities because the merger was a deal which would affect consumers with in the UK.

A spokesperson for Which? has said they are very keen to have the T-Mobile/Orange merger looked at as both have networks here and said merger affects British consumers.

The Office of Fair Trading has confirmed that they have asked the European Commission to refer the UK aspects of the proposed merger between Orange and T-Mobile, and in a short statement the OFT said that the OFT’s initial view after consultation is that this join venture significantly threatens to affect competition in UK mobile telecommunications.