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Czech minister calls for regulator overhaul
08 March 2012
Czech Republic’s minister of industry and trade criticises regulator and calls for ‘agressive competition’ for 4G
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The Czech Republic’s minister of industry and trade, Martin Kuba, has expressed dissatisfaction with the regulator, the Czech Telecommunication Office, and has called for its revamp to achieve lower prices and aggressive competition in the market, according to local reports.
The CTÚ has faced severe criticism as Czechs are said to be paying among the highest rates in Europe, for low quality phone services. The three key operators are Telefónica O2 — which owns the incumbent — plus T-Mobile and Vodafone.
Kuba nominated telecommunications journalist Ondrej Malý — an expressive critic of the CTÚ — to the regulator’s board, though the nomination is subject to approval from the government.
Kuba said other changes could occur when the five-year term of some serving members expires in the second half of 2012, reported Czech Position.
Kuba said that the CTÚ should act proactively — with the competition office following up afterwards— to see if there are any problems in the market. “That is how it should work,” said Kuba.
He also believes the CTÚ’s preparations for 4G services should result in opening up of the market and lower charges. The ministry will seek guidance on better preparing the 4G rollout process from UK and US university experts, according to Kuba. GTB
Further reading from Global Telecoms Business:
T-Mobile shuts Czech 3G TDD network 06 Mar 2012
NSN wins Telefonica O2 Czech deal 02 Nov 2010
Testing the platforms in Prague 01 Dec 2006
Czech government gives thumbs up to Telefónica's Cesky bid 07 Apr 2005