site.btaAnti-trust Watchdog Claims Abuse of Dominant Position by All Three Electricity Distribution Companies

Anti-trust Watchdog Claims Abuse of Dominant Position by All Three Electricity Distribution Companies

Sofia, March 19 (BTA) - The Commission for the Protection of
Competition (CPC) has served claims for abuse of dominant
position to the three electricity distribution companies (EDCs)
in Bulgaria: CEZ Distribution Bulgaria AD, EVN Bulgaria
Electricity Distribution EAD, and EnergoPro Grids AD, CPC said
in a press release. The watchdog holds that the three companies
imposed unreasonably high prices to for access to the
low-voltage pole grid, thereby harming competition and the
consumers' interests, the press release says.

The CPC has checked the terms at which the EDCs provide access
for optical fiber communications networks using the low-voltage
power poles.

A market analysis conducted by the watchdog has established that
 as another economically justified options for building optical
fiber communications networks does not exist, each EDC is in a
dominant position on the territory served thereby.

The CPC found that the rental price for the poles has been set
without taking account of the factors having an impact on its
size. It holds that the prices at issue are unreasonably high
and has an exploitative effect on optical fiber communication
operators and their customers.

The CPC recalls that last May it made the same claims to the
three EDCs but has returned the case-file for additional
investigation. Now the watchdog confirms its findings with more
data.

The CPC's ruling is not appealable. The concerned companies have
 30 days to object and demand an oral hearing in an open
meeting.