* Findings could affect debate in Brussels on telco reforms
* Mobile prices much higher in markets dominated by majortelcos
* Challenger operators in France, Nordics push down pricesfor all
* Study compared smartphone tariffs in 27 countries
PARIS, May 22 (Reuters) - Smartphone users in Europeancountries served only by large groups such as Vodafone Group Plc and Telefonica SA pay twice as much forservices as consumers in more competitive markets with anindependent "challenger" operator, according to research.
The wide divergence in prices revealed in the study byRewheel, an independent Finland-based consultancy, couldinfluence debate among Brussels regulators working on a packageof telecommunications reforms expected in June.
Rewheel analysed six smartphone tariffs with mobile dataallotments of 500 megabytes to 4 gigabytes in the 27 memberstates of the European Union in the second quarter.
In markets like Germany and Spain - which lack whatregulators call a "maverick" to discount voice, text, and data -consumers pay an average smartphone tariff of 44 euros a monthcompared with 22 euros in markets like France and Britain withchallengers.
"In protected markets, a gigabyte of smartphone data costsan average of 20 euros, while in progressive markets it costs 6euros," wrote Rewheel in its report published on Wednesday.
The study comes as European regulators are debatingproposals to foster a more unified market for telecom servicesin the region and ways to boost investment in faster broadbandand mobile networks.
Big telecom operators have been pushing for the policies toinclude a more accommodating approach on mergers, but Brussels'antitrust watchdog has signalled opposition to the idea,specifically because it could lead to higher prices forconsumers.
Neelie Kroes, the EU commissioner for the digital agenda, is expected to unveil draft proposals in June to further thedevelopment of a "single market" for telecom services.
Rewheel's research also exposed a wide range in prices andthe voice, text, and in data allotments given to consumers indifferent countries. A plan with 2 gigabytes of mobile data andat least 200 minutes of calls can cost anywhere between 8 eurosin Estonia to 45 euros in Greece or Malta.
Germany, the region's biggest mobile market, comes outparticularly weak, with a 2 GB plan costing on average 38 euroscompared to 20 euros in France or 15 euros in Britain, Rewheelfound. Germany has no independent mobile challenger to driveprice cuts: Deutsche Telekom and Vodafone dominatethe high-end, while Spain's Telefonica and Dutch incumbent KPN duke it out for more budget-conscious customers.
The report's authors said the findings would be submitted tocompetition and digital agenda regulators in Brussels.