TELE2/TIM-VODAFONE-WIND
PRESS RELEASE
PRESS RELEASE
TELECOMMUNICATIONS: Antitrust Authority accepts and makes obligatory Vodafone's commitments regarding network access by virtual mobile operators
Proceeding closed without a fine
The Italian Competition Authority, at its meeting on 24 May 2007, decided to accept and make binding the commitments proposed by Vodafone during the investigation begun on 23 February 2005 into the violation of competition rules; Telecom and Wind were also investigated. The proceeding against Vodafone, then, has been closed without a fine.
In the Authority's view, the two definitive contracts stipulated by Vodafone with BT and the Carrefour group, and the preliminary contract with Poste Italiane, given the differing characteristics of the parties (a fixed-line telephone operator, a large supermarket chain and a postal services operator), will allow them to cover most types of mobile services for end-users.
The Authority viewed as decisive the contract signed by Vodafone with BT Italia for access to its wholesale network. BT will be able to offer its customers a broader range of communications services using GSM, GPRS and UMTS technologies and, in particular, will be able to compete in offering integrated fixed-mobile and mobile-mobile services, especially to business customers. The contract clauses referring to termination, furthermore, will allow BT Italia to offer fixed-mobile solutions to corporate customers in competition with Vodafone's offerings.
The preliminary contract with Poste Italiane S.p.A. is further concrete confirmation of Vodafone's willingness to negotiate access to its network by other operators, and is particularly important given the widespread nature of Poste Italiane S.p.A.'s post office network.
Rome, 28 May 2007