Spanish communications and competition regulator CNMC has announced that the submarine cable route between the Spanish peninsula and the Canary Islands has been deregulated following a public consultation. The watchdog said it had taken the step after concluding that Canalink, the only cable operator providing an alternative to the incumbent (Telefonica), has consolidated its position, becoming the operator with the largest share of the wholesale market.
The entry of Canalink has in fact led to considerable price reductions of the capacity handled over the route, said the CNMC, boosting the presence of alternative operators in the Canary Islands, especially in Gran Canaria and Tenerife. However, the regulator added that existing obligations would remain in place for 9 underwater routes connecting the smaller islands of the Balearic and Canary archipelagos plus submarine routes connecting Ceuta and Melilla to the Spanish peninsula.