The news that Orange and T-Mobile have entered into a merger for their respective UK operations will have a huge impact on the mobile industry. The joint force will become the UK's largest service provider, which has sowed seeds of concern with consumer rights organisations.

"Creating a new mobile phone giant could mean less genuine choice for consumers and a market less eager to compete on price or services," says Consumer Focus's Audrey Gallacher, as reported by MobileEnt.biz.

The combined forces of Orange and T-Mobile will have a turnover of around £7.7 billion, 28 million customers and own around 37 per cent of the market, and the deal could be signed as soon as November.

"The deal must focus on the interests of mobile users if the future is to be bright for them," Gallacher continues, inadvertently airing Orange's old advertising slogan.

"We will be watching developments closely for customers of Orange and T-Mobile, as well as those of 3 and Virgin Mobile who share the T-Mobile network, to ensure their consumer rights are protected after merging their UK businesses."

The businesses are expected to maintain separate brands for the next 18 months, though the exact details of the deal have yet to emerge.