(Telecompaper) The UK Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has made a request to the EC to refer Hutchison's proposed takeover of Telefonica Europe to the CMA for investigation. Hutchison owns mobile network operator 3 UK, whilst Telefonica Europe owns O2 UK. The merger was formally notified to EC on11 September. Following consultation and preliminary analysis, the CMA believes that the deal threatens to significantly impact competition in the UK retail mobile and wholesale mobile markets. It also believes that the case should be referred to the CMA for investigation, and not the EC, because any impact on competition resulting from the merger will likely be limited to UK consumers. Taking its ongoing investigation of the BT/EE merger into account, the CMA believes that it would be more efficient for it to also investigate the 3 UK/O2 merger to avoid duplication and fragmentation. The CMA also received support from industry participants in making the request. The EC must make a decision on whether or not to refer the case by 30 October.