Deutsche Telekom Said to Weigh New Antitrust Complaint Against Google

Deutsche Telekom, the German telecommunication company, has long been an outspoken critic of United States tech companies’ dominance over how Europeans access online services. Google, in particular, has been in the company’s sights. More than a year ago, Deutsche Telekom filed a complaint with the European Commission over its antitrust investigation into Google’s online search practices. Now, Deutsche Telekom, which owns a controlling stake in T-Mobile US, the cellphone carrier, appears ready to get involved in Europe’s investigation into Google’s Android mobile software as well.

The complaint, which may be submitted by early November, focuses on whether Google uses its Android mobile operating system to unfairly promote its own products like Google Maps and online search over those of rivals, apparently. They would speak only on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly. The move by Deutsche Telekom would make it an official complainant in the case, allowing the company to provide information and potential evidence on why it believes Google abuses its control over Android. The evidence could include data on which mobile services the carriers’ tens of millions of users regularly access on their cellphones. Such information could help European competition officials decide whether to bring formal charges against Google linked to the region’s Android investigation.