The Croatian Competition Agency (AZTN) has dismissed complaints against the telcos A1 Hrvatska, Hrvatski Telekom and Telemach Hrvatska that alleged they agreed on a joint price increase for their services.
According to AZTN, the complaints by two natural persons were received on June 2, 2022 and based on the announcements found in some media about the change in price for the provision of mobile services in Croatia.
AZTN found that there had been a price increase by three telecom operators concerned during 2022. The operators explained that the price increase was the result of the increasing operation cost due to inflation in the period concerned.
AZTN’s analysis showed that the operators concerned sell bundles that to a certain extent differ in their contents. At the same time, the CCA found that during 2022 some of these bundles were completely cancelled whereas others changed certain elements they contained, such as the bundle minutes included, data traffic, text messages, IPTV services etc. What is more, the operators introduced new bundles and services and offered them to private and business accounts.
AZTN also found that the operators did not raise the prices of all bundles and services. The ones that were increased were not by the same amount or percentage.
AZTN concluded that its investigation did not point at any circumstantial evidence that would indicate any illegal contact between the competitors or agreement prior to the change of prices of their services.
It therefore dismissed the complaints and did not initiate infringement proceeding based on alleged distortion of competition in the form of a prohibited agreement between the telcos.