Washington - US officials are looking into whether major telecom companies have abused their market power, the Wall Street Journal reported Monday.

The inquiry by the US Justice Department is not yet official and was not focused on any particular company, the Journal reported, citing people familiar with the matter.

The investigation could include deals that give certain carriers exclusive access to mobile phones, such as AT&T's rights to Apple's popular iPhone in the United States.

President Barack Obama's administration sounded a warning earlier this year that it would be taking a tougher stand on anti-competitive practices of US companies.(dpa)