T-Mobile's Future After the Merger With Orange

After the announced merger between Francemarketing and distribution costs as well as post roll-out
Telecom's UK company Orange and Deutscheand promotions expenses associated with new
Telekom's T-Mobile operations in the UK last April 1st,products and service launches in any new branding
the new company won't be operational until after 18strategy.
months during which time the two current UK mobileGeneral Cost Savings: Apart form improved network
network operators will complete the neededoperations, a reduced level of staffing in the general
groundworks in the transition. Each will continue toand administrative offices nationwide is expected to
operate separately to review their respective brandingeliminate functional redundancies in core and ancillary
strategies that should make the transition to the newoperations that can optimize workforce strengths
company smoother.especially in its customer service areas, maintenance
Capital and Operating Synergiesand back-office administrative work.
The merger between the carriers is expected toOn the capital expenditure side of the merger, a
create synergies both in the operations and marketingrationalized network scale can reveal the right levels of
of both companies. Annual operating expensescapital needed where they are lacking or needs
resulting from the synergies won't happen immediatelyenhancing with the resulting synergies. An improved
and are estimated to run over £445 million startinglarge scale capital savings are expected over the first
2014 onwards.five years following T-Mobile and Orange completing
IT and Network: Both companies operate differentthe infrastructure integration that would unify the joint
GSM and UMTS networks in just about the same3G network coverage.
markets and geographies which lend easily to largeThe potential capital savings have been estimated at
scale integration for a more rationalized operating£620 million on a aggregate basis during the next
economies that can lead to significant savings2010-2014 before stabilizing at about £100 million
especially in antenna site rentals, equipment installation,annually starting 2015 onwards.
operations and maintenance expenses as well asNet benefits to Consumers
office location consolidation.The savings in Opex and Capex over the next five
Marketing and Distribution: The merger will trim downyears is expected to benefit the markets in the
redundant sales offices in the same location as wellfollowing areas which otherwise may not be possible
the similar product offerings under its GSM and UMTSwithout some economies of scale.
networks. This should result in substantial savings in