France Telecom Orange’s CEO Stephane Richard told a press conference this week that: “there was never any question of building a pan-European network”. This reaction follows reports carried by the FT that mobile operator execs were discussing the creation of a pan-European infrastructure network to unite the continent’s fragmented national markets.

According to the FT, the concept of pooling infrastructure emerged during private talks between the EU’s Competition Chief Joaquín Almunia and the CEOs of Europe’s biggest telcos. Sources close to the discussions claim that the CEOs departed the meeting with the aim of exploring the idea further, driven by their growing frustration with the way Europe’s disjointed market has impeded their ability to compete.

FierceWirelessEurope: FT Orange CEO slaps down 'pan-European network' rumours; TelecomTV content partner.