The merger of T-Mobile and Orange will create the biggest mobile service provider in the whole of the UK and will change the picture of mobile broadband. The merger, however, is not scheduled to happen soon and will take place only after a year and a half. Hence, until 2012 both the companies will retain their separate legal identities.

The merger will be a partnership venture but its modalities are not clear yet, and it has not been made public as to which company will retain its identity in the new unit. The newly formed company will have more than 28 million subscribers, making it the largest subscriber base in the UK. However, it will also lead to retrenchment, as the new company will not require the entire workforce of both the constituent companies. This merger will also reduce phone masts by 5,000.

Currently the proposed merger is not going to have any impact on the subscribers. As a representative for Orange Broadband said, it does not make any difference at least for one and a half years. At the earliest, the deal will come into force only by the middle of 2010. Thus, the subscribers will currently feel no change in any of their services – for a look at each of the service providers, click compare mobile broadband.

T-Mobile commented on the merger saying that it will create a leader in the industry. The subscribers will be benefited with better 2G and 3G services. In addition to that, the network coverage and performance will improve. The network of stores will also increase. Since both companies are financially strong, they will be exploring new technologies for the benefit of the subscribers.