Important merger between Orange and MásMóvil approved by the Council of Ministers

The Minister of Inclusion, Social Security, and Migrations, José Luis Escrivá, has revealed in an interview during the lead-up to the Mobile World Congress (MWC) that it is expected for the Council of Ministers to approve the merger between Orange and MásMóvil during the month of March. This operation, which has received the approval of Brussels, is shaping up to be an important step in the telecommunications landscape in Spain. Escrivá has emphasized the importance of the companies involved in the merger taking on long-term investment commitments in a well-defined strategic plan. Although he has not detailed these commitments, he has pointed out that the objective is to ensure that excellent connectivity in Spain is maintained and the adoption of new technologies in the sector is promoted. The minister has also addressed the potential entry of the State Industrial Participations Society (SEPI) into Telefónica, mentioning that it is a financial operation that would not have a budgetary impact. Furthermore, he has indicated that public capital in SEPI could reach up to a 10% stake, although the pace of this acquisition will be determined. Regarding other operations in the sector, such as the acquisition of Vodafone by Zegona, Escrivá has stated that the necessary legal procedures are being analyzed and that they also require the government's authorization. Additionally, the minister has mentioned the Perte Chip program, which has an investment of 12.5 billion euros in public capital, and has left open the possibility of establishing a semiconductor factory in Spain, although he has emphasized that there are various options under consideration. These statements by Escrivá are framed within the context of the MWC 2024 in Barcelona, where a wide variety of topics related to technology and telecommunications are expected to be discussed. The congress is presented as an opportunity to debate changes in the sector and explore new growth and innovation opportunities. In summary, the merger between Orange and MásMóvil, along with other operations in the telecommunications sector in Spain, reflect a dynamic and promising landscape aimed at driving technological development and connectivity in the country.