Belgian operator said it suspends marketing of its fixed products on the residential market, while awaiting more favourable regulation.
The marketing of internet, fixed telephony and TV services for the residential market will be suspended as of May 22, 2013. Mobistar will, however, ensure the continuity of internet and fixed telephony services for existing residential customers.
The services of Mobistar TV will cease on September 15, 2013. All of the customers affected by the discontinuation of Mobistar TV will be personally contacted between now and the end of May in order to provide them with more information about an alternative satellite TV solution negotiated by Mobistar with the M7 group, owners of the DTH platforms TéléSat (French speaking) and TV Vlaanderen (Dutch speaking) on the basis of a preferential offer.
In a statement Mobistar said “it regrets the lack of reciprocity of conditions for competition between the fixed and mobile markets in Belgium. While competition is very significant on the mobile market, as shown by the presence of over 40 players on this market, many signs demonstrate that the Belgian residential fixed market is in fact a closed market, dominated by a historical operator-cable operators duopoly. The rate study performed recently by the BIPT at the request of Minister Vande Lanotte highlighted that the cost of “triple play” offers in Belgium is particularly high compared to their cost in neighbouring countries.”
