One2One claims 'Vodafone given unfair advantage'

NEWS Mobile operator, One2One, has filed a judicial writ against the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) over what it claims are unfair terms being given to rival operator Vodafone in the third generation licence auction. The five operators who won 3G licences are required to pay at least half the amount of their bids tomorrow, with the remaining half in the next ten days. However, the DTI has granted Vodafone a 60-day reprieve in order to complete its de-merger with Orange - which could be extended by a further 180 days. One2One and BT claim the exception gives Vodafone an unfair saving in interest of up to £360m. A DTI spokesman said: "Vodafone and Orange have to de-merge and the rules state that any two companies in this situation have up to 180 days after the auction to do so. All the bidders knew the rules when they entered the bidding and now they are trying to change the rules after the event."