Several of Europe’s largest telecoms firms have been raided by the European Commission’s antitrust investigators for suspicion of abusing their dominant position to impede internet content providers.
The raids, which began on 9 July, were carried out at Deutsche Telekom, Orange and Telefónica. The European Commission said that it suspected these companies of intentionally damaging internet connectivity by driving out providers that use a lot of data, such as internet phone call services.
The raids represent a preliminary step in antitrust investigations that does not prejudge its outcome. If found guilty, however, the firms could be fined up to 10% of their global turnover.
