LONDON, Nov 5 (Reuters) - The $19 billion merger between

Vodafone ( VOD ) and Hutchison's Three UK is likely to

be given the go ahead as investment commitments outweigh

concerns over competition, the British regulator said in a

provisional ruling on Tuesday.

Britain's Competition and Markets Authority said the deal

could proceed if the remedies it recommends are implemented,

including a legally binding commitment to invest in the roll-out

of the 5G network plus short term customer protections.

The statement marks a change of tone for the anti-trust

regulator, which had originally said the reduction of British

networks from four to three could push up prices for customers.

But the new approach reflects the broader strategy set

out by the new Labour government, which wants regulators to

approve deals and corporate plans if they boost investment in

the country's infrastructure and public services.

Vodafone ( VOD ) and Three UK pledged to invest 11 billion

pounds in their joint network when the deal was first announced

in June 2023.

The CMA said on Tuesday the deal had "the potential to be

pro-competitive for the UK mobile sector".

Vodafone ( VOD ) and Three said in response to the CMA that they now

believe there is a "path to final clearance".

"The merger is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to

transform the UK's digital infrastructure - which lags

significantly behind its European peers," the pair's joint

statement said.

The CMA is due to make a final decision on or before

Dec. 7 and the parties said they would engage with the regulator

before then.