JT and Sure accused of breaching competition law
JT and Sure are being investigated for allegedly entering into anti-competitive deals for building and operating the 5G networks in the Channel Islands.
Cicra has issued a draft decision accusing the two telcos of breaching competition law in Guernsey and Jersey.
But it has stressed that ‘no conclusion should be drawn that there has been an infringement’ as it gives the companies time to respond.
‘Cicra will consider any representations it receives before any decision is taken as to whether Guernsey competition law and/or Jersey competition law have in fact been infringed,’ it said.
Sure declined to comment.
A spokesperson for JT said: ‘JT notes the position being taken by the regulator on this issue with considerable concern, and looks forward to discussing it with them, and responding formally in the coming weeks.
‘Our concern comes from the fact that discussing sharing mobile infrastructure is exactly what we are often asked to do by many stakeholders, and was, in fact, suggested and supported by the islands’ governments and, indeed, Cicra itself.
‘It was JT that brought this matter to Cicra’s attention in June 2019 and we look forward to working with Cicra to bring this investigation to a satisfactory conclusion.’
Cicra said that it could not give any further details on exact nature of the allegation at the moment.
‘We have issued a Statement of Objections.
‘A Statement of Objections sets out the Competition Authority’s provisional findings in an investigation. We stress that these findings are only provisional at this stage and so may change.’
The companies now have the opportunity to respond and provide any further information to the Competition Authority.
The Competition Authority will take into account the responses of the companies and any extra information they provide before deciding whether or not to issue a final decision.
The case started on 4 July.
The Statement of Objections alleges that the companies ‘have breached Guernsey competition law and Jersey competition law by entering into anticompetitive arrangements/agreements in relation to the construction and operation of 5G networks in Guernsey and in Jersey.’
