LONDON, June 24 (Reuters) - Britain's competition

regulator on Tuesday said it was proposing to designate Google

with "strategic market status" to give it greater

control over how the U.S. tech giant operates search services.

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) said steps it

could take included making it easier for users to access

different search providers and ensuring fair ranking principles

for businesses appearing on Google search.

It also proposed more transparency and control for

publishers whose content appeared in search results if it goes

ahead with the designation in October.

Google will be the first company designated since the

regulator gained new powers this year.

Google said the move could have significant implications for

businesses and consumers in Britain.

"We're concerned that the scope of the CMA's considerations

remains broad and unfocused, with a range of interventions being

considered before any evidence has been provided," said Oliver

Bethell, Google's senior director for competition.