(Telecompaper) The European Commission has announced the launch of an in-depth investigation into the viability of the proposed merger of Wind and 3 Italia, the Italian subsidiaries of VimpelCom and Hutchison Whampoa. "The Commission has concerns that the transaction could lead to higher prices, less choice and reduced innovation for mobile customers in Italy," said the EC in a statement. First announced in August last year, the 50-50 merger would reduce the number of mobile network operators in Italy from four to three and create the largest player in terms of subscribers, closely followed by TIM (Telecom Italia) and Vodafone.