PRESS RELEASE: CTU Council discussed opinion in a dispute over wholesale price for mobile data

Prague, 29 May 2020 – The CTU Council discussed opinion in a dispute over wholesale price for mobile data between Český bezdrát s.r.o. and T-Mobile Czech Republic a.s. When setting wholesale price, T-Mobile failed to take into account development of its own offers on the retail mobile market. The opinion will be referred to the Office for Protection of Competition.

The Council discussed the opinion prepared by CTU according to Section 80(6) of the Electronic Communications Act in a dispute over wholesale price for mobile data between Český bezdrát and T-Mobile. CTU assessed the dispute and concluded, that it does not have the jurisdiction to make a legally binding decision. Since the parties are not willing to reach a mutual agreement on changing the prices, CTU issues an opinion with a conclusion, that in its wholesale offer, T-Mobile failed to take into account development of its own prices on retail mobile market, which dropped significantly during the time of contract with Český bezdrát.

By doing so, T-Mobile prevent virtual operators from effective business on the market and to develop effective competition. This has a negative impact on the users of services. Therefore, CTU states in its opinion, that for further activity of the virtual operator on the market, it is necessary to remove the disproportion between decrease in retail and stagnation of wholesale prices. Pursuant to Section 128(3) of the Electronic Communications Act, CTU will refer the opinion to the Office for Protection of Competition.