BT confirms acquisition of EE for £12.5 billion

BT today announced that the company had agreed definitive terms to acquire UK mobile operator EE, the largest mobile network in the country, for £12.5 billion ($19 billion). Talks between the two parties have been well under way since late last year. A combination of cash and new ordinary shares will enable BT to make the purchase, absorbing 31 million subscribers in the UK.

Today's acquisition will not only bring BT back into the mobile operator market, but the move will also provide EE subscribers the chance to bundle BT services, including broadband, TV and fixed telephone, with their existing mobile packages. Telefonica remains in talks with Three owner Hutchison to acquire O2.

See the press release linked below for more details on BT's EE deal.

Source: BT

Rich Edmonds
Senior Editor, PC Build

Rich Edmonds was formerly a Senior Editor of PC hardware at Windows Central, covering everything related to PC components and NAS. He's been involved in technology for more than a decade and knows a thing or two about the magic inside a PC chassis. You can follow him on Twitter at @RichEdmonds.