Friday, March 15, 2013

France pushes for controls on Skype calls

France pushes for controls on Skype calls - FT.com: "Arcep said the fact that Skype allowed its users to make voice calls to fixed line and mobile numbers in France meant that it provided a telephone service, and therefore had an obligation to allow emergency calls and to allow French police and security services to monitor its voicemail traffic when legally required. Skype rejected the claims, saying: “We have engaged with Arcep in discussion over the last several months during which we shared our view that Skype is not a provider of electronic communications services under French law.” 'via Blog this'

Tuesday, March 12, 2013

ETNO calls for deregulation in fixed telephony

ETNO calls for deregulation in fixed telephony - Telecompaper: "the lobby group for incumbent operators would like to see ex ante regulation ended in the retail market for access to the fixed telephone network (market1). It sees no competition issues in the market, as fixed telephony is increasingly subject to competition from mobile networks and over-the-top services provided on broadband networks.  ETNO also wants a new approach to wholesale regulation of broadband networks that takes into account all competing platforms at retail level, including cable and next-generation mobile networks, in accordance with the principle of technological neutrality. National regulators should also be asked to analyse geographical differences within a national market, in order to focus regulation on uncompetitive areas. Furthermore, ETNO said it sees no need to add new markets (such as IP transit or SMS termination) to the list of relevant markets.'via Blog this'

Monday, March 11, 2013

TeliaSonera CEO Quits Amid Criticism

TeliaSonera CEO Quits Amid Criticism - WSJ.com: "Mr. Nyberg said he had been informed Thursday evening that a major reshuffling of the board was pending and that the new board wasn't prepared to give him its support. Chairman Anders Narvinger, who in December said he wouldn't stand for re-election, said he expects the majority of the board to leave following pressure from its biggest owners, the states of Sweden and Finland. "The company is in a very troublesome situation," Mr. Narvinger told a news conference. "In hindsight, you can say that we should have scrutinized operations closer."" 'via Blog this'

EE Loses Appeal Over Mobile Connection Fees Cut in Half by Ofcom

EE Loses Appeal Over Mobile Connection Fees Cut in Half by Ofcom - Bloomberg: "EE, the wireless operator owned by Deutsche Telekom AG (DTE) and France Telecom SA (FTE), lost a bid to overturn the U.K. telecommunication regulator’s decision to limit what mobile companies can charge to connect to other networks. EE challenged Ofcom’s 2011 reduction of so-called termination rates by more than half, a move that is expected to cost operators about 200 million pounds ($302 million) a year, appeals court judge Alan Moses said in a written ruling today. He agreed with an earlier decision by the Competition Appeal Tribunal and rejected EE’s claim."
British Telecommunications PLC & Ors -v- Office of Communications, Appeal of 2nd Appellant from the order of The Competition Appeal Tribunal, dated 8th May 2012, filed 20th June 2012. C3/2012/1523 'via Blog this'

Saturday, March 09, 2013

Commission fines Telefónica and Portugal Telecom €79m for illegal non-compete contract clause

EUROPA - PRESS RELEASES - Press Release - Antitrust: Commission fines Telefónica and Portugal Telecom € 79 million for illegal non-compete contract clause: "Article 101 of the TFEU prohibits agreements that have the object or effect to restrict competition and may affect trade in the EU Single Market. Both Telefónica and Portugal Telecom are the largest telecoms operators in their home countries. For example, in 2011 Telefónica accounted for almost half of all revenue generated by the Spanish telecoms sector. Each of the parties has a very limited presence in the other party's home country. The Commission opened an investigation on its own initiative in January 2011 (see IP/11/58) after it became aware of the agreement between Telefónica S.A. and Portugal Telecom SGPS S.A. The Commission has a copy of the agreement concluded on the occasion of the Vivo transaction and of the non-compete clause, which originally was due to run from September 2010 to the end of 2011. The Commission sent the parties a Statement of Objections in October 2011 (see IP/11/1241)." 'via Blog this'

Friday, March 08, 2013

Scarcity is the Achilles’ Heel of Legacy Broadband

Scarcity is the Achilles’ Heel of Legacy Broadband | Technically speaking …: " In 2003, when consumer ADSL broadband was just emerging, a 2Mb/s connection cost 25€ per month. Free smashed the doors of the market open by offering triple-play with 8Mb/s broadband and unlimited national voice for 30€ per month. Over the years, the package grew with additional services and features, but the price stayed flat. It took a while for Free’s competitors to accept that the company wasn’t losing money with each new customer, and the “Internet Troublemaker” as the French press has dubbed, conquered a third of the broadband market and continues to exert a psychological pressure on the ecosystem to this day. Over time, the steam in their wireline engine has exhausted, but they’re now in the process of disrupting the wireless business. On the opposite end of the disruptive spectrum lies Norway’s Altibox. Altibox launched its fiber to the home services the same year Free was launching triple-play in France" 'via Blog this'

Friday, March 01, 2013

European Commission prohibits Ryanair/Aer Lingus deal | Chillin'Competition

European Commission prohibits Ryanair/Aer Lingus deal | Chillin'Competition: "Last Wednesday the Commission confirmed that it has decided to prohibit -for the second time- the proposed merger between Ryanair and Aer Lingus merger (click here for the press release). This is the fourth prohibition decision adopted under Commissioner Almunia, and the 24th in the history of EU competition law." 'via Blog this'

Commission insists German operators should not be allowed special treatment on mobile rates

EUROPA - PRESS RELEASES - Press Release - Digital Agenda: Commission insists German operators should not be allowed special treatment on mobile rates: "In the letter sent to BNetzA today, the Commission explains that the new rates in the regulator's proposal do not comply with the principles and objectives of EU telecoms rules which require Member States to promote competition and the interests of consumers in the EU, as well as the development of the Single Market. This is a further example of the Commission using its powers regarding national remedies under Article 7a of the Telecoms Directive (MEMO11/321). BNetzA now has three months to work with the Commission and the body of European telecoms regulators (BEREC) on a solution to this case." 'via Blog this'