Documents obtained by the Financial Times show that the European Commission has begun investigating whether Apple's agreements with mobile phone providers are legal. The commission believes that the deals Apple makes are undercutting its rivals, reducing their sales.
The investigation was launched after complaints from some mobile phone companies, but is still in its preliminary stages. The commission began the investigation by sending questionnaires to all operators in Europe, which contain questions such as whether Apple forces them to buy a minimum number of devices or whether it limits their marketing budget.
"The Commission has information indicating that Apple and Mobile Network Operators ("MNOs") have concluded distribution agreements which may potentially lead to the foreclosure of other smartphone manufacturers from the markets," says the questionnaire. "There are also indications that certain technical functions are disabled on certain Apple products in certain countries in the EU/EEA. If the existence of such behavior were to be confirmed, it might constitute an infringement of [antitrust law]".
Additionally, the questionnaires ask whether Apple is forcing them to offer better iPhone subsidies, thereby taking away a portion of sales from its competitors. The carriers must have responded to the questionnaire by June 17.
According to a questionnaire sent last week to several EU mobile network operators, the European Commission's probe is focusing on distribution terms that might favor Apple by ensuring no rival can secure a better sales deal.
This is not the first time that the European Union has dealt with Apple and its possible antitrust tactics, however, no action has been taken against it so far.
Dimitrios Georgoulas @ GreekAppleNews
