Well, its official. T-Mobile (the company I have business mobile contracts for a few businesses I am involved with) and Orange have decided to merge operations within the UK.

T-Mobile has had the "For Sale" sign on its UK operation for a few months now to reduce debt at the parent company - Deutsche Telekom. Both O2 and Vodafone had shown some interest based on media speculation but in the end they have opted for a deal which will see a new company in the UK created - the name of which has not yet been announced (although The Register appear to like T-Orange) - and both Deutsche Telekom and France Telecom (Orange UK's parent company) getting a 50% stake each. Both the T-Mobile and Orange brands will stay for at least 18 months but after that we will most likely see these phased out and replaced with a single new name. During the next 18 months, through, back office staff will be merged within the company with the aim of cost cutting and removing duplication.