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.
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