Court Suspends Fine Against Romanian Mobile Operators Orange, Vodafone

Competition Council president Bogdan Chiritoiu told MEDIAFAX that the two operators submitted a guarantee worth 30% of the fine, to be allowed to request the decision's suspension. He added that the Council is waiting for the court's explanatory statement and will then decide whether to challenge the ruling.

In February, the Competition Council fined Orange Romania and Vodafone Romania EUR63 million for abuse of dominant position. Orange Romania was fined over EUR34 million and Vodafone over EUR28 million, which represents about 3% of the two operators' 2010 turnover, Chiritoiu told a news conference at the time.

The Council began an investigation in 2006, following a complaint filed by Netmaster Communications SRL. Orange, Vodafone and Romtelecom were accused of alleged abuse of dominant position on the telephony market.

Netmaster Communications said the three operators blocked a part of the international calls made by its clients. Orange and Vodafone charged interconnection prices ranging $0.15-0.18/minute, compared to a $0.10/minute maximum level set by the authority, said Chiritoiu.

Netmaster Communications posted 8.98 million lei (EUR2.15 million) turnover in 2007 and its gross profit was RON27,042, according to the last data sent to the Trade Registry. The company no longer exists - it was bought by New Com Telecomunicatii, which transferred its clients to RCS&RDS and Romtelecom after facing financial problems.

(EUR1=RON4.172)

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