Asia Tech Wire (Nov 5) -- Vodafone and Three are on track to have their 15 billion pound ($19.5 billion) merger deal approved if they commit to investing in a massive upgrade of the U.K.'s mobile network, Britain's market regulator said.

The U.K. Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) also said Tuesday that the two companies should take steps to protect consumers against price increases, and it will make a final decision on December 7th.

Three, the U.K. subsidiary of CK Hutchison, owned by Hong Kong tycoon Li Ka-shing's family, and Vodafone are the two smallest of the four U.K. mobile carriers. Upon completion of the deal, the merged corporation will be the one with the highest revenues.

Vodafone and Three have said the deal will improve mobile services in the U.K., which lag behind many other countries in Europe.