The Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM, Autoriteit Consument and Markt) took the decision two years ago that the incumbent should offer competitors access to its fixed copper network and fibre network through to 2019, but KPN appealed.
Now, Dutch Trade and Industry Appeals Tribunal (College van Beroep voor het bedrijfsleven, CBb) has backed ACM’s decision.
“We are pleased with that ruling, as it will benefit both consumers and businesses,” ACM official Jeroen Nugteren told Capacity. “Without ACM’s regulation, most people in the Netherlands would only be able to choose between KPN and Ziggo for their telecom services. With this ruling, they can also choose between different providers on the KPN network such as Online, Tele2 and T-Mobile.”
The decision “will lead to lower prices and better services”, Nugteren added.
Since the original decision, Vodafone has merged its activities in the Netherlands with those of Ziggo. According to Dutch newsletter Telecompaper, KPN was “disappointed” with the appeals tribunal’s decision.
