Spanish Competition Commission investigates telecomms operators

 

The Spanish Competition Commission (CNC) has initiated proceedings within the telecommunications industry with regards to the possible abuse of a 'dominant position', which is against both the Spanish Competition Act and the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.

The CNC is investigating the claim that certain telecommunications companies were imposing excessive prices for wholesale origination and termination services for text messaage sent and received within Spain on their mobile telephony networks.

In particular, the Spanish Telecommunications Market Commission (CMT), which often takes part in antitrust cases in the telecommunications sector, pointed out that while call termination services experienced a 67% decline in the last seven years, income from SMS and MMS termination services had only decreased approximately 4.8%.

One Spanish operator has avoided being involved in the proceedings, as the CMT does not consider them to be a "dominant operator".

The opening of these proceedings does not prejudge the final outcome of the investigation. The CNC now has a maximum period of 18 months to carry out the investigation and reach a final decision.