The Hungarian Competition Authority (GVH) initiated proceedings against UPC Magyarország Telekommunikációs Kft. (UPC) for its conduct in its numerical district 29.

The GVH commenced supervisory proceedings on 20 February, based on a large number of consumer complaints, claiming that in district 29 of UPC (Monor and its surroundings) the quality of the internet service provided is lower (the upload and download speeds are slower) while the price of the internet subscription is higher, compared to the rest of the districts in the country. UPC is the sole telecommunication service provider in Monor and its neighbouring villages.

Through the above-described practice, UPC has presumably abused its dominant position, in contrary to the provisions of the Competition Act. The initiation of an investigation is necessary in order to protect the public interest, taking into account the fact that the conduct of UPC affects a large group of consumers and that the GVH has received a significant number of consumer complaints.

The initiation of the competition supervision proceeding does not mean that the undertaking in question has actually committed an infringement. The proceeding aims to clarify the facts and to prove that the presumed infringement has been committed. According to the Competition Act, proceedings must be closed within 6 months; however, this period can be extended on two occasions by a further six months each time, depending on the complexity of the case.

Case number: Vj/15/2015

Budapest, 2 March, 2015

 

Hungarian Competition Authority

Further information:
Andrea BASA
Spokesperson
Mail: 1054 Budapest, V. ker. Alkotmány u. 5.
Postal address: 1391 Budapest, 62. POB 211
Tel: (+36-1) 472-8902
Email: basa.andrea@gvh.hupress@gvh.hu
http://www.gvh.hu

 

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