The European Commission and Swedish competition officials have raided the offices of the Swedish mobile operators amid suspicions they may have coordinated their behaviour to prevent another operator from entering the market, violating competition rules. Telia, Telenor, 3 Sweden and Tele2 all confirmed they were visited by competition authorities and said they were cooperating with the investigation. Telia said the investigation concerned "questions on coordinated behavior in the Swedish mobile wholesale market".
Nether the operators nor the Commission provided further details. The Commission said there was no deadline for completing the investigation.
According to an article on business newspaper Dagens Industri’s website, the four operators have been unwilling to allow any other operators to enter the market. It cited sources as saying the EU investigation concerns MVNO activity. Di.se added that fixed line operator Com Hem is among the players that has tried to get a toe into the door through a cooperation agreement.
Com Hem told the newspaper that it had been in contact with the EU Commission, but that it was unwilling to make any further comment while the probe is under way. Com Hem has not been raided, said the company.
