CMA 對沃達豐三巨頭合併提議發出危險信號

英國電信業出現了多項監管更新。沃達豐-3 價值 150 億英鎊的合併提案引起了競爭與市場管理局 (CMA) 對潛在價格上漲和客戶品質下降的擔憂。由於惡劣天氣阻礙了店內購物，二月零售額仍然停滯不前。為了提高透明度並保護用戶免受過高漫遊費用的影響，Ofcom 推出了新法規，要求行動網路供應商發布警報並提供有關國外使用成本的明確資訊。這些措施將於 10 月 1 日起生效，讓旅客尋求立即保障以應對意外開支。

Competition Authority Raises Concerns over Proposed Vodafone-Three Merger

競爭監管機構對沃達豐三巨頭合併提議表示擔憂

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has expressed apprehension regarding the proposed merger between Vodafone and Three, cautioning that the £15 billion deal could culminate in escalated prices and diminished service quality for consumers.

競爭與市場管理局 (CMA) 對沃達豐和 Three 之間的擬議合併表示擔憂，並警告說，這筆 150 億英鎊的交易最終可能導致價格上漲和消費者服務品質下降。

Julie Bon, Phase One Decisionmaker for the case at the CMA, emphasized, "Despite assertions from Vodafone and Three extolling the competitive and investment benefits of their transaction, the CMA has yet to encounter sufficient evidence supporting these claims."

CMA 負責此案的第一階段決策者 Julie Bon 強調，“儘管沃達豐和 Three 聲稱其交易具有競爭性和投資效益，但 CMA 尚未找到足夠的證據來支持這些說法。”

Retail Sales Stagnate Amidst Inclement Weather

惡劣天氣下零售銷售停滯

February retail sales witnessed a dismal performance, with the sector registering a flat 0% growth, according to recent data released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

英國國家統計局 (ONS) 最近發布的數據顯示，2 月零售額表現慘淡，該產業成長為零。

While clothing stores and department stores exhibited a positive trend, this was counterbalanced by declines in food and fuel sales, potentially attributed to escalating gas prices. The adverse weather conditions also played a significant role, deterring shoppers from venturing into physical stores and opting for online purchases instead.

雖然服裝店和百貨公司呈現出積極的趨勢，但食品和燃料銷售的下降抵消了這一趨勢，這可能是由於汽油價格上漲所致。惡劣的天氣條件也發揮了重要作用，阻止了購物者冒險進入實體店並選擇網上購物。

Roaming Alerts to Protect Mobile Users Abroad

保護國外行動用戶的漫遊警報

Ofcom has introduced new regulations mandating mobile network providers to furnish customers traveling abroad with roaming alerts and detailed information on applicable charges.

Ofcom 推出了新法規，要求行動網路供應商向出國旅行的客戶提供漫遊警報以及適用費用的詳細資訊。

The decision stems from concerns raised over the inconsistent and ambiguous information often provided by providers, leaving as many as 19% of customers oblivious to potential roaming fees. The new measures, effective from 1 October, require providers to provide "clear, free to access information, so customers can make informed decisions about whether - and how - to use their mobile phone abroad."

這項決定源於對提供者經常提供的不一致和模糊資訊的擔憂，導致多達 19% 的客戶忽視了潛在的漫遊費。新措施自 10 月 1 日起生效，要求提供者提供「清晰、可免費訪問的信息，以便客戶能夠就是否以及如何在國外使用手機做出明智的決定」。

Uswitch, a consumer advocacy organization, welcomed the announcement but highlighted that the regulations lack provisions to prevent providers from excessively charging for overseas mobile usage.

消費者權益保護組織 Uswitch 對此公告表示歡迎，但強調該法規缺乏防止提供者對海外行動使用收取過高費用的規定。

"While we applaud these new rules, including roaming alerts and clarity on costs, they fall short of the protections consumers expect," the organization stated. "Moreover, as they will not take effect until October, travelers abroad this summer must exercise caution to avoid unexpected charges."

該組織表示：“雖然我們對這些新規則表示讚賞，包括漫遊警報和明確的成本，但它們達不到消費者期望的保護。” “此外，由於這些措施要到十月才會生效，今年夏天出國旅遊的旅客必須謹慎行事，以避免意外收費。”