DUBLIN, Ireland—A contract awarded to Vodafone Group has become the subject of a formal appeal to the Irish telecommunications industry regulator.
A 130 million euro (US$120.4 million) contract for the supply of telecommunications and Internet services to the Irish government was won by Vodafone and incumbent operator Eircom. It includes the development of communications infrastructure. Now Esat Telecom, the number-two operator in Ireland and part of British Telecommunications, along with mobile operator O2, said the selection process was unfair and biased in favor of the eventual winners.
If the appeal is supported by the regulator, it could lead to legal action and claims for damages against Vodafone and Eircell.
