The EU will likely push Google for more concessions in order to end the three-year investigation into complaints the company pushed out all of its internet competition, Reuters reported. Competition commissioner Joaquin Almunia, acknowledging critics who say Google's response so far has been inadequate, said Google would almost certainly be asked to improve its proposals. Last month, Google offered to label its own products in internet search results and make it easier for advertisers to move to rival platforms. The offer came after more than a dozen companies, including Microsoft, accused Google of squeezing them out. Rivals, including UK price comparison price site Foundem and German online mapping company Hotmaps, say Google's proposals would force them to compete among themselves, raise their costs and increase merchant dependency on Google. The EU competition authority has extended the deadline for complainants to 27 June following pressure from the companies. A Google spokesman said the company will continue to work with the Commission to settle the case. A settlement would mean no infringement finding nor a fine, which could be as much as USD 5 billion. Almunia also said he had yet to decide whether to open a formal investigation into Google's Android operating system. Last month, a group of companies including Microsoft and Nokia filed a complaint with the Commission, accusing Google of blocking competition in mobile telephony.
