EU Panel Finds Telecom Titans Have Too Much Market Control

[SOURCE: Wall Street Journal, AUTHOR: William Echikson william.echikson@dowjones.com]
Eight years after deregulating Europe's telecommunications markets, a European Commission report published yesterday found that incumbents such as Deutsche Telekom AG retain too strong a grip on markets. This control is particularly strong over fixed-line and mobile markets, the report says. The report finds competition is working to cut prices for customers and offer them new services, but that additional regulation may be required. Such a prospect pleases start-ups, while infuriating former monopoly incumbents that contend that the newcomers no longer require protection. In particular, the dispute focuses on the construction of new infrastructure, with incumbents arguing that they shouldn't be forced to allow newcomers inexpensive access.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB114048924083078712.html?mod=todays_us_ma...
(requires subscription)