Vodafone seeking €1bn from Telecom Italia in antitrust case

Operator group Vodafone has confirmed that it has taken legal action against Telecom Italia, for abuse of a dominant position in the Italian market. The group is seeking damages of more than €1bn.

Vodafone alleges that Telecom Italia committed a “series of abuses between 2008 and 2013 with the intention and effect of impeding growth in competition in the Italian fixed-line market”.

According to the operator, the Italian Antitrust Authority has already found evidence of abuse of dominance in network infrastructure on the part of Telecom Italia and announced in May 2013 that it would fine the incumbent operator over €100m.

“The civil action will set out how Telecom Italia’s abusive actions have harmed competition and innovation, stifled choice and undermined the wider Italian consumer interest,” Vodafone said in a statement.

“The civil action will also detail how the incumbent has damaged the interests of Vodafone Italy by causing the company to lose existing and potential customers through predatory activities, restricting Vodafone Italy’s ability to grow its fixed-line business, and forcing it to pay artificially high costs in order to compete in the market.”

Vodafone has lodged its claim with the Court of Milan. Telecom Italia was not available for comment at the time of writing.