A TELECOMS firm central to a £12.5bn takeover says its superfast internet access has lured more customers and increased revenues.

EE, which is Darlington’s largest private employer with about 2,000 call centre workers, says its 4G network has maintained its position as Europe’s fastest growing operator.

The company saw turnover increase to £3.1bn for the six months to June 30, with its 4G customer base rising to 10.9 million and adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) up to £830m.

EE is the subject of a bid from BT, which bosses say will deliver customers better and faster internet access.

A decision on the deal, being investigated by the Government’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), is expected by the end of March 2016.

Reacting to its latest financial results, Olaf Swantee, EE chief executive, said the firm was strong, helped by more agreements for its 4G with businesses, including airline Lufthansa and retailer Abercrombie and Fitch.

He said: “Our established leadership in 4G and key differentiators, such as wifi calling (which allows people to call on wifi when signal is low) are working well.

“We’re the clear network market leader and this, combined with our strong operational performance, has led to a return to revenue growth while delivering our best ever EBITDA margin.”

Mr Swantee has also warned competitors not to try and block BT’s approach for EE, which employs hundreds of workers in Doxford, Sunderland, and Cobalt Business Park, near Newcastle, saying the plans shouldn’t be derailed by “self-interested companies.”

Pointing to the benefits of the merger between T-Mobile and Orange, which allowed EE to increase 4G coverage, he said: “Competitors only want to put up roadblocks, while we want to build motorways.

“The success of the UK will be built on its ability to deliver information through leading technology.

“Bringing BT and EE together makes that possible.”

The CMA is investigating the takeover’s potential impact on the marketplace, and previously admitted it had some concerns.

Amanda Coscelli, CMA executive director of markets and mergers, said: “BT and EE are leading suppliers of UK telecoms services and together will have a strong presence in many markets.

“They also supply important inputs at the wholesale level, which enable other communications providers to compete at the retail level in the provision of mobile services.

“We have found there is a real risk the merger could reduce their incentives to supply these inputs and that this could have a detrimental impact on the retail mobile market.”

If sanctioned, the deal will give BT an 8,800-strong workforce, access to EE’s 4G network, and extended scope to offer fixed-lines phones, mobiles and TV.