Measure |
Responsibility
|
Timetable |
Details of progress |
Contact person |
Completion stage |
1. Efficient competition in broadband provision
(especially subscriber connections) will be secured when the Communications
Market Act is put into effect. |
FICORA , Office of Free
Competition (OFC) |
Continuing |
Connection charges in Finland remain considerably
higher than the EU average, still limiting broadband competition. In
late 2005 and early 2006, FICORA has continued to investigate connection
fees and set maximum charges as necessary. Most of these cases have been
appealed and are being processed by the administrative courts.
In the first half of 2006, FICORA has focused on developing the evaluation
of non-discrimination in connection fees. Monitoring of the equitability
of delivery times in subscriber connections has also been continued.
FICORA has also begun to update the Significant Market Power (SMP)
decisions concerning subscriber connections and wholesale broadband
products so that SMP requirements placed on companies can be revised
as necessary according to changes in the competition situation on the
broadband market.
Cooperation with the OFC has been continued in the interests of increasing
competition on the broadband market.
|
FICORA: Johanna Juusela
OFC: Martti Virtanen |
2 |
2. The efficiency of competition in broadband
provision will be supervised using the means provided in the competition
legislation in cooperation with the FICORA. |
OFC , FICORA |
Continuing
|
The OFC has intervened in the competition
problems it has observed in the broadband market.
As a consequence of the action taken, local telecommunications operators
have significantly reduced the network rental fees charged to service-provider
competitors, which has eased market entry for competitors and thus
increased competition considerably. The OFC is monitoring the competitive
situation in the broadband market and will, if necessary, propose to
the market court that it order any business operator who acts contrary
to the Act on Competition Restrictions to pay a penalty fee. So far,
the Office has made one such market court proposal (proposed penalty
fee of EUR 1,000,000). The Office has about 10 broadband market cases
pending. |
OFC: Martti Virtanen, Timo Mattila
FICORA: Martin Andersson |
2 |
3. Technical modernization of cable TV networks
will be promoted to ensure that broadband provision is technically feasible
in all the main cable TV networks by the end of 2004. |
Ministry of Transport and Communications ,
FICORA |
2004 |
- Assessment of the need to develop the
legislation was begun in March 2004 together with commercial actors.
- Progress had been made in broadband provision even without further
legislative measures.
|
Ministry of Transport and Communications:
Antti Kohtala
FICORA: Martin Andersson |
3 |
4. The necessary legislative amendment proposals
will be made for promoting competition in Internet connections and broadband
provision in cable TV networks on the basis of investigations. |
Ministry of Transport and Communications |
October 30, 2004 |
- First cable TV network opened to competition.
Solution presented to the Communications Committee (COCOM).
- No need for legislative amendments. Cannot use legislative measures
to demand that networks (non-SMP) open up to competition. |
Antti Kohtala |
3 |
5. Telecommunications companies will be
brought together to agree a unified code of conduct for encouraging network
and service operators to supply broadband facilities and services. |
FICORA |
March 31, 2004 |
- Operators met at FICORA premises on March
22, 2004, 9.30-12.00.
- Further action: working group on broadband connection operator
interfaces was set up on May 24, 2004, comprising telecommunications
company representatives and under the direction of FICORA. |
Martin Andersson |
3 |
