The Czech Telecommunication Office (CTU) is reportedly considering plans to cap wholesale mobile data charges levied by the country’s three main network operators – O2 Czech Republic, T-Mobile and Vodafone – on Czech virtual operators in a bid to drive competition. Business daily Hospodarske Noviny cites CTU chairwoman Hana Tovarkova as saying: ‘I believe we will propose a ceiling for wholesale prices at which the three current large operators sell to virtual operators’, adding that if implemented, the proposed regulations are likely to remain in place ‘for three to four years’ depending on the outcome of a sector review that is due to be completed by mid-September 2021.
The paper notes that the European Commission holds T-Mobile, O2 and the country’s infrastructure operator CETIN, partly responsible and has accused them of certain breaches to EU antitrust regulations. MVNOs in the Republic have complained that T-Mobile’s wholesale data charge is ‘40% more expensive than the price it offers itself’. The CTU’s announcement comes a few weeks before elections take place in the country with the government seemingly hoping to make good on earlier promises to cut mobile charges.
Source: https://www.commsupdate.com/articles/2021/08/26/ctu-considering-cap-on-wholesale-mobile-data-prices/