Now that the merger between TPG Telecom Ltd (ASX: TPM) and Vodafone is just about guaranteed, attention is turning to what that means for Telstra Corporation Ltd (ASX: TLS).
Our third largest mobile phone operator is bulked up and its new chief executive Iñaki Berroeta appears to be spoiling for a fight to win market share from Telstra.
However, the merger may be what the sector needs and may prove to be a positive for shareholders.
Will a new mobile war erupt?
Just don't tell Berroeta that. He indicated in an interview with the Australian Financial Review that competition will be heating up as he needs to prove that the $15 billion merger was worth all the trouble.
The ACCC tried unsuccessfully to scuttle the marriage by arguing that competition will lessen with only three players in the field compared to four if TPG remained a separate entity.
The courts took TPG's and Vodafone's side, so the newlyweds can't contradict themselves now.
Biggest winners are investors
But if you taught that customers will be the biggest beneficiaries from the new development, you are probably wrong. Investors may benefit more.
This is because the cut-throat pricing tactics used to take market share will probably take a backseat in the new world order for the sector.
"The last four years in Telco can been characterised as a lot of competitive tussle to achieve no meaningful change in market share and lower profits," said Morgans.
"With the NBN nearing completion, 5G nearing mainstream launch, and TPG / Vodafone set to merge in July, the market is returning to more rational economics, in our view."
Same war but different tactics
Other experts have said similar things. The new tactic to win market share is through bundling instead of outright price cuts.
UBS believes that the upside for the new TPG-Vodafone group, which should start trading on the ASX on Monday under the code "TPG", will be from cross-selling of services.
The broker believes only 23% of Vodafone's customers use a residential broadband service offered under the TPG umbrella and only 45% of TPG's fixed broadband customers use mobile phone services that's on the Vodafone network.
So, while competitive pressure will remain to the benefit of consumers, the change in tactics will not hurt margins in the same way as outright price cuts of the past.
Foolish takeaway
That leaves shareholders as the biggest winners, in my view.
And if you are wondering which stocks represent the best value in the telecoms sector, Morgans reckons its TPG and Superloop Ltd (ASX: SUL).
It's also worth noting that TPG will spin out its Singapore operations into a newly listed company called Tuas. Existing TPG shareholders will get one share in each of the newly formed entities.
