Three takes 'wave and pay' venture to EC

The "wave and pay" joint venture set up by the UK's three largest mobile operators could be derailed after their rival Three told the European Commission of its competition fears.

Officials from Three were visiting Brussels yesterday to block the "UK mCommerce Joint Venture" set up by O2, Vodafone and Everything Everywhere unless Three could join.

Three's regulatory affairs director, Stephen Lerner, said the platform was designed to weaken Three "as a competitive force". The venture dismissed the claims saying Three could still benefit from the technology.