Competition on Dutch cable delayed

The Dutch Board of Appeal for commerce has ruled that cablers Ziggo and UPC do not have to offer competitors access to their infrastructure. Recently, the telecoms authority OPTA  stated that the market for cable television needed to be opened for competition. According to the Board, OPTA has been careless in her judgement and has defined the market wrong. Therefore, the cablers do not have to open up their cable to competitors.

Tele2, that has been advertising for months with cheap analogue cable television, reacted initially by reassuring their customers that the ink on the contracts between them, Ziggo and UPC had dried already and that consumers could still watch television through Tele2.

UPC and Ziggo feel differently about this. Now that OPTA’s ruling has been nullified, they do no longer feel obliged to honour the contract. A Ziggo spokesperson says to Webwereld: “Whatever Tele2 may say, the contract does no longer exist. The principles proved untenable, so there it ends. That is the bottom line.” UPC holds a similar view.

The Consumer Association also participates in the discussion, and sides with Tele2. The Association takes a positive view to competition on the cable, as it will improve consumer choice and lead to lower prices. Therefore, they urge the Ministry of Economic Affairs to “end this monopolistic market, so consumers have a choice.”