Windows Phone Thoughts: Vodafone and 3 Set to Merge In Australia

"Tough economic times have triggered an upheaval in Australia's $13 billion a year mobile sector with its number three and four players Vodafone Australia and Hutchison "3" forced into merger... The new group, to be named VHA Pty Ltd, will have more than 6 million customers and sell products and services under the Vodafone brand. The deal also appears to signal the death knell of the 3 brand in Australia with Vodafone being earmarked as the new venture's main brand."

Uncertain times have forced Australia's third and fourth largest carriers, Vodafone and 3, into merger. The two operate in all major centres and select rural areas across the country, and currently carry many of HTC's and Samsung's Windows Mobile devices, including the Touch Diamond, Touch Pro, Omnia, i600, and i780. It's expected that once the merger is complete, all products and services will sell under the Vodafone brand, with pricing expected to change in an attempt to take aim at Australia's second largest carrier, Optus.