Brussels, 11/07/2013 (Agence Europe) - On Thursday 11 July, the European Commission announced that it had made spot checks this week at the premises of a number of telecommunications companies active in the provision of internet connectivity in several member states, including Orange, Deutsche Telekom and Telefonica. The Commission has concerns that the companies concerned may have violated EU antitrust rules that prohibit the abuse of a dominant market position. Internet connectivity allows market players (e.g. content providers) to connect to the internet so as to be able to provide their services or products at the retail level. This service is crucial for the functioning of the internet and for end users' ability to reach internet content with the necessary quality of service, irrespective of the location of the provider, explains the Commission in a press release, noting that the spot checks are a preliminary step into suspected anticompetitive practices and do not prejudge the guilt of the companies concerned. (LC/transl.fl)