Regulators close operator mobile standards investigation
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Regulators close operator mobile standards investigation

The European Commission has ended a preliminary investigation into the development of new technology standards for mobile services in some of Europe’s largest telecoms companies.

The investigation came as a result of concerns that Vodafone, France Telecom, Telecom Italia, Deutsche Telekom and Telefónica were carrying out work with the potential to exclude competitors and harm consumers.

However, the EU Commission expressed satisfaction that European operators had handed standardisation work over to the GSMA mobile industry grouping and other sector-wide associations, and has closed the investigation.

"The Commission welcomes this transfer, which allows more stakeholder participation,” the Commission said in a statement. “It is a positive step that reduces the risk of standard setting work affecting competition negatively.”

The Commision commenced its investigation last year.

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