site.btaConsumer Protection Commission Dismisses Fears that Mobile Operators' Delicensing Would Deprive People of Services

The Commission for Consumer Protection (CCP) on Monday dismissed fears that the delicensing of Bulgaria's mobile operators, proposed by the commission, would deprive consumers of mobile services.

Such fears had been expressed by the Technology Industry Alliance (TIA), which said the CCP's proposal was populistic and would practically leave consumers without mobile services and internet connectivity. The TIA accused the CCP of uncalled-for attacks against one of the best-regulated sectors of the Bulgarian economy.

CCP President Maria Filipova said in a counterreaction on Monday that Directive (EU) 2018/1972 establishing the European Electronic Communications Code requires member states to ensure that "all consumers in their territories have access [...] to an available adequate broadband internet access service and to voice communications services."

Filipova said the CCP aims to make mobile operators strictly obey the court decisions by which bans on unfair commercial practices were declared correct and conforming to the law. "This is the reason to look for appropriate deterrents, including, if necessary, steps to revise or supplement the licenses of the mobile operators, to make them comply with effective orders and the provisions of consumer legislation," she argued.

On January 21, the Communications Regulation Commission (CRC) decided against revoking mobile operators' licenses. The CRC found that the CCP's proposal to delicense the mobile operators is contrary to the Electronic Communications Act and EU law. It also considers the measure disproportionate.