** Shares of Vodafone VOD.L up 1.2% at 70.64p
** UK's competition watchdog approved co's $19 bln merger with Hutchison's 0001.HK Three UK, to create the country's biggest mobile operator
** CMA said the combined group's network investment plan would drive competition in the long term, dropping its previous objections that the deal could push up prices
** VOD shares rose ~3% YTD
(Reporting by Yamini Kalia in Bengaluru)
((Yamini.Kalia@thomsonreuters.com;))