Europe’s biggest opcos in trouble for Costa del Alotta scam

Rating: Regulators! Mount up. 

Europe’s biggest operators are today sitting in a metaphorical tiny Spanish interrogation cell awaiting the appearance of the sweaty, cheap cigarette smoking, acidic aftershave wearing Spanish detective to enter and grill them.  It looks like the Spanish local Opcos have been naughty boys - collaborating on price rises in order to offset the effects of new countrywide regulations designed to stop them rounding the price up to the nearest minute.

Vodafone, Orange and Movistar are all going to be interrogated by the Spanish National Competition Commission.  Under pressure Orange will roll over on the other two given the good cop/bad cop routine, whilst Vodafone will bribe their way out, leaving Movistar to share a cell with El Big Bubba for several years.

Related News:

1. Cable & Wireless Europe, Asia and US partners with Orange for FMC
2. AirG moves into Peru, Venezuela and Ecuador
3. TELECOM ITALIA CUTS MOBILE AND PC CARD INTERNET ACCESS CHARGES ANYWHERE IN EUROPE BY 50%
4. 3 signs one million mobile broadband customers in Europe
5. Orange brings the iPhone to customers in Europe, Middle East and Africa