TELECOMMUNICATIONS : VIVENDI'S COMPLAINT AGAINST FRANCE TELECOM RULED UNFOUNDED.

The European Commission has dismissed the complaint lodged by Vivendi against France Telecom for abuse of dominant position. "I can confirm that the Commission has concluded from its review that the complaint is unfounded," declared a spokesman for the competition commissioner, on 4 March. Vivendi, the parent company of SFR, lodged a complaint with the EU executive in March of last year against the French incumbent operator for abuse of dominant position on subscription rates and on access to the local loop (unbundling) that allows competitors to access the incumbent's telephone lines.

Jean-Bernard Levy, chairman of Vivendi's Board, noted at the time that "France Telecom corners 85% of the margin generated, leaving only 15% to its two competitors [...]. Regulations have been powerless to restore balance or give competing operators real opportunities to compete with France Telecom. We are therefore asking Brussels to get...