Brussels, 01/10/2013 (Agence Europe) - On 30 September, the European Commission suspended a proposal from the Czech telecoms regulator (CTU) concerning regulatory remedies for the fixed termination markets.
Fixed termination rates are fees which fixed operators charge to deliver calls from other fixed or mobile networks. The Commission has serious concerns on the scope of the proposed access obligation with regard to alternative network operators and fears restrictions for consumers. “Consumers should not find themselves at risk of being unable to make calls where they wish. That is why, where we have a monopoly situation like in fixed termination markets, we need to guarantee access to the networks for all operators, alternative operators included”, said Digital Strategy Commissioner Neelie Kroes.
In its proposal, CTU imposes a new price regulation on fixed alternative operators, but without imposing on them a corresponding access obligation. The Commission is particularly worried that these operators might then be able to circumvent the price regulation by refusing to provide access to their competitors. That could lead to consumers being prevented from making calls to the networks of alternative operators. Under the EU telecom rules, the access obligation requires an operator to interconnect its network with that of any other operator. CTU's proposal suggests that only the incumbent will face such an obligation, but not the alternative network operators. However, all operators have been found to hold significant market power in their respective markets. The Czech regulator now has three months to work with the European Commission and the Body of European telecoms regulators (BEREC) to find a solution to this case. In the meantime, implementation of the proposal has been suspended. (IL/transl.fl)