The States of Guernsey have given the green light for the temporary suspension of competition regulations, paving the way for telecom provider, Sure, to fully acquire its local competitor, Airtel Vodafone.
According to Sure, the acquisition aligns with its goal of strengthening its service portfolio and expanding its market footprint in the Channel Islands.
As part of the deal, Sure intends to invest up to GBP 48 million in the rollout of a 5G mobile network across the islands, aimed at delivering faster data speeds, wider coverage, and enhanced value for its customers.
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With the merger reducing the number of network operators from three to two, Sure has made several legally binding commitments to ensure competition is preserved. Among these is the introduction of the Channel Islands Co-op—a new mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) expected to launch within the next year.
Sure and Airtel Vodafone first agreed on the merger in October 2022, but the deal required clearance from competition regulators in both Guernsey and Jersey. While Jersey’s regulator approved the acquisition earlier this year, the States of Guernsey took additional time before reaching its decision.
“Today’s decision is great news for Sure and Airtel customers and the future of telecommunications services in Guernsey and Jersey. We are grateful that Deputies have recognized the numerous strategic, economic and social benefits of our acquisition of Airtel,” said Sure Group CEO, Alistair Beak, in a statement. “The investment in world-class digital infrastructure will support our increasingly digital lives, connecting our island communities to a better future and contributing to economic growth.”
“Having secured approval in Jersey earlier in the year we can now move forward and complete the transaction in the coming weeks. In the meantime, Sure and Airtel Vodafone will continue to operate as two separate companies,” Beak added.
