Mobile kit vendor Nokia Siemens Networks (NSN) could lose out on revenue if the planned UK merger between T-Mobile and Orange goes ahead, say analysts. The vendor is considered at risk because it provides network gear to both operators. “Nokia Siemens faces the biggest downside risk on the infrastructure side. In supplying both networks, NSN is exposed to almost all of the planned capex savings,” Nomura analyst Stuart Jeffrey said in a note, reports Reuters. According to yesterday’s joint statement by T-Mobile UK parent Deutsche Telekom and Orange-owner France Telecom, the merger is expected to create net opex and capex savings in excess of £3.5 billion. A proportion of these savings is expected to be made by merging the two networks.

The merger is aiming to get regulatory approval by mid 2010 and analysts say that both operators are likely to hold off from any major investments until the deal is done. “I don’t think there will be major changes in the short term, but the merger will decrease the cake to be shared,” said Pohjola analyst Hannu Rauhala. However, NSN said it was too early to comment on possible impacts to its business. “We believe we are in a good position to help the joint venture to succeed,” Ashish Chowdhary, incoming chief of NSN’s services unit, told Reuters.