In a new report by Belgium telecom regulator BIPT, the organisation says that there is too little competition on the Belgian telecom market.
The watchdog is proposing various measures to boost competition. On 27 April 2018, the CRC, the Conference of regulators in the electronic communications sector, which brings together the CSA, BIPT, the Medienrat and the VRM, adopted the draft decisions regarding the analysis of the broadband tnternet and television broadcasting markets. These market analyses have been notified to the European Commission, which has 30 days to take a position on these drafts.
The report itself has not yet been made public because the European Commission has yet to give its opinion on it, but in its conclusion BIPT’s point of view is clear: a thorough analysis shows that the markets for broadband internet and television are still characterised by a lack of competition.
Proximus, Telenet, Brutélé and Nethys (VOO) maintain a strong dominant position on the wholesale markets. The networks of Proximus, Brutélé, Nethys and Telenet must therefore remain open to competing operators, according to the BIPT.
The newspaper De Tijd reported that Minister of Telecom Alexander De Croo (Open VLD) was pleased with the telecom watchdog’s analysis. He mentions three measures that the BIPT proposes.
First of all, potential competitors of the Internet should not be obliged to offer a full package of service: telephony, TV and internet. Providers who only offer internet can bring a new dynamic to the market.
Furthermore, BIPT wants Telenet to charge Orange the actual cost of using its cable network as a third party provider.
Finally, Proximus must also open up its network to competitors, but in such a way as to protect its investments in fibre networks. It is not yet clear exactly how this is to be done.
If the European Commission endorses the BIPT report, new rules can come into force. Last March, the Commission said in its Belgian status report that the telecom market could use more competition.
