 The UK competition watchdog is to ask Brussels for full control over the review of the proposed 31bn merger between Virgin Media and telecoms operator O2, kicking off what is expected to be a fierce battle over which authority gets the ultimate say on the transaction. Brussels will receive a request from the UKs Competition and Markets Authority, which will argue that the merger solely affects UK consumers. This important merger will only impact consumers in the UK and since any review will likely conclude after the transition period, it is only right for the CMA to request it back now, the CMA told the Financial Times, referring to the December 31 deadline. 