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Vodafone lodges complaint over Telefonica in Spain
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[February 18, 2014]
By Robert Hetz
MADRID (Reuters) — Vodafone <VOD.L> has
lodged a complaint against Spanish rival Telefonica <TEF.MC>,
alleging it is abusing its position in Spain to reduce competition
for telecoms, Internet and television services.
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 The British company's complaint, filed on Friday, comes as
competition is intensifying in Spain's market with sources saying
Vodafone is studying a bid for cable operator Ono.
Vodafone on Monday accused the former Spanish state monopoly of
abusing its position on its home turf by striking a deal with
competitor Jazztel <JAZ.MC>.
Telefonica aimed to control the lion's share of Spain's fibre optics
networks — those that can offer high-speed Internet and large data
transfers, Vodafone said in a statement to Reuters.
Vodafone said Telefonica's deal with Jazztel over fibre optic
networks was struck in October 2012 and was part of a tactic to make
it impossible for Vodafone to compete since it does not have fibre
optic networks.
Telefonica also struck a deal with Telia Sonera's <TLSN.ST> Yoigo in
2013, also the subject of complaints by Vodafone.
"All the practices ... leave fewer choices for consumers," said
Vodafone.
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A spokesman for Telefonica said: "All our deals are legal. We have
shown we are willing to sign deals with everyone."
(Writing by Sarah Morris; editing by
David Evans)
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