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Italy: Telecom Italia and Fastweb face antitrust probe

By  |  February 12, 2017

Italy’s Antitrust Authority has opened proceedings against Telecom Italia and Fastweb for possible uncompetitive practices regarding their joint fibre optic venture Flash Fiber.

Flash Fiber aims to build fibre-optic networks in FTTH architecture in Italy’s 29 biggest cities already covered by FTTC by 2020. The two companies plan to invest over €1 billion in the venture. By the end of 2016 Flash Fiber has reached had already 200,000 households.

According to the Antitrust – Autorità Garante della Concorrenza e del Mercato – the agreement may “potentially prevent, restrict or falsify competition on the national wholesale markets for access to fixed networks, retail broadband and ultra-wide band telecommunications services”.

Fastweb and Telecom Italia have denied any wrongdoing and said they would cooperate fully with the authorities.

Full Content: Telegeography

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