Not sure of the "Planned" launch dates, 3G seems to be rather "fluid" in Europe. Also, seems to be some concern on Telecom debt due to the high costs of 3G spectrum. Could there be a "time out" in Europe? How long for an investigation? Rather surprising that this could happen there :-)
Suspicions of mobile licence collusion intensify
By Dan Roberts in London, Gordon Cramb in Amsterdam and Eric Frey in Vienna
Published: November 1 2000 21:31GMT | Last Updated: November 1 2000 22:25GMT
Suspicions that there may have been European-wide collusion during third generation mobile phone auctions intensified on Wednesday as Austrian and Dutch regulators warned of possible rule infringements.
The moves put further pressure on the European Commission to launch a pan-European investigation into relationships between bidders in various European auctions.
In the Netherlands, competition authorities launched an investigation into discussions held during July's auction between Versatel, a Dutch-listed company, and Telfort, a rival Dutch bidder owned by British Telecommunications.
If allegations of improper behaviour are proved, it could ultimately result in the removal of Telfort's licence and calls for the auction to be re-held. Versatel dropped out of the bidding, which raised E2.7bn ($2.3bn).
On Wednesday night BT denied that Telfort had discussed bidding tactics - which would have been against the rules - insisting Versatel had called the meeting to talk about routine business involving unrelated matters.
Versatel says Telfort called the meeting on the first day of the auction and admits the bidding was discussed.
News of their meeting emerged during a hearing held by the Dutch transport ministry into a separate complaint from Versatel, which claimed Telfort bullied its Dutch rival into dropping out of the auction.
On Wednesday Monique de Vries, the junior minister handling the hearing, passed information about the meeting on to the NMA, the competition watchdog. The ministry added that the NMA "sees cause to verify the correctness of this information".
Versatel rejected any suggestion it had made Telfort an offer to withdraw, saying the conversation was "to discuss the normal course of business". That had involved Versatel explaining the strategic importance it saw in winning a third generation licence.
On Wednesday developments follow raids last week on the offices of participants in the Italian third generation auction. The Italian authorities suspect the auction may have ended early due to collusion.
Officials at the Antitrust, Italy's competition authority, fear there may have been secret deals in other European auctions.
The Antitrust insists it has not formally asked Brussels to hold a separate investigation, but the Commission issued a statement saying it was "following the matter".
Austria's auction for third-generation mobile phone licenses also starts on Thursday amid regulatory concern that any collusion among the six bidders might result in the government raising much less than the Sch20-50bn ($1.23bn-$3.08bn) that had been expected.
The Telekom Control Commission, Austria's telecoms regulator, warned bidders it would take tough measures and even stop the auction process if it had reason to suspect any collusive behaviour. Austrian auction results will be posted on Telekom Control's website at: umts.tkc.at
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