Vodafone chases Telecom Italia for $666m

Vodafone is demanding $666m from Telecom Italia after accusing the rival telco of beastly market abuses, it has emerged.

Reports this weekend said the UK mobile operator has accused the Italian firm of using its fixed line dominance to underpin its TMI wireless operation. It claims that Telecom Italia has used information on its fixed line subscribers to put together discount deals for its mobile services.

Voda has filed a suit in the Milan courts, according to reports, and is seeking €525m in compensation, which equates to £364m or the much more interesting figure of $666m.

The Sunday Telegraph reports that Telecom Italia has vigorously denied Voda's claims, saying that the separation of its fixed line and wireless customer info had been verified by inspectors. ®