The cable operators have rejected the telecommunications
regulator’s draft broadband market analysis, submitted today, Friday, reports ITRealms.
According to the Cable
Europe, the European Commission should not to accept Dutch regulator, the Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM’s) draft
broadband market analysis.
ACM, as reported by Broadbandtvnews,
has concluded that VodafoneZiggo holds “joint significant market power (SMP)”
together with Dutch incumbent operator KPN. As a direct consequence both
operators will have to provide wholesale access to third parties. The analysis
now rests with the European Commission, which has the power to accept or reject
the proposed measures.
“This proposed intervention in the Dutch market is
anachronistic and runs contrary to the consumer interest. My first reaction is
one of astonishment,” commented Matthias Kurth, Executive Chairman of Cable
Europe.
“The Dutch market is highly competitive and is often cited
as best in class by international observers. It scores high on the Commission
Digital Economy and Society Index.
"Consumers have the choice between two very
fast broadband services practically everywhere in the country. The market is
extremely dynamic and characterised by innovation, quality of service and
affordable prices and there is a commercial wholesale access offer in the
market (KPN).
“Imposing onerous regulation using the concept of joint SMP
in a market with these characteristics will set a negative precedent in Europe.
Regulatory intervention comes with risks which are often difficult to gauge in
advance. The negative consequences of this proposed regulation will outweigh
any marginal improvements the regulator is seeking to achieve. I hope the
Commission will examine this analysis with great care and conclude that the
Dutch market and its citizens already benefit from effective competition.”
Nenye Dom with additional reports from Broadbandtvnews/GEE
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