EU Commission Says Czech Telecoms Plans Are Unfair

The European Commission on Monday told the Czech telecoms regulator to withdraw plans on access to its broadband networks.

The regulators in the Czech Republic, TÚ, wanted to include wholesale broadband services based on cable and Wi-Fi platforms in its definition of the wholesale broadband access product market. This would partially lift obligations on the main Czech telecoms operator Telefónica to give alternative operators access to its infrastructure.

But the Commission said that there is not enough evidence that cable and Wi-Fi platforms would be sufficient substitutes to the prevalent copper and fiber technologies on the wholesale market. Without wholesale access to infrastructure, the choice of operators offering high-speed Internet in the Czech Republic would be limited and consumers might have to pay higher prices for higher speed connections.

Monday’s decision by the Commission to veto the plans means TÚ must withdraw its proposed measure.

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