The investigation into the price fixing of telecommunications providers by the Dutch competition Authority can take up to two years. KPN, Vodafone and T-Mobile say their to cooperate in the investigation.
After the first investigation, that any days in take can the NMa to create a report about the case. Subsequently, KPN, Vodafone and T-Mobile both in writing and orally respond to the report. Only then is a decision about a possible sanction. The NMa strives to ensure almost all cases within two years to complete, stands on its own site.
The NMa suspects that the providers of price-fixing, but stressed that nothing has yet been proven. “The fact that the NMa these visits, is not to say that the mobile operators in question have been found guilty of anticompetitive behaviour, and says nothing about the possible outcome of the investigation.”
According to KPN, five employees interviewed in connection with the case. The provider says that all managers and employees will participate in the research if they requested. When the internal klokkenluidersinstantie were no reports on this matter were received.
T-Mobile is confident that the NMa, concludes that there is no price agreements are made, says spokesman Michael Fox Tweakers.net. “We will co-operate with the investigation,” said Fox. Further, he wants nothing quiet about the details. Vodafone says in a statement also to cooperate in an investigation.
The NMa fell Tuesday morning in at the KPN, Vodafone and T-Mobile, because the providers are suspected of agreements have been made about prices for mobile calls and internet in the Netherlands. The invasion happened on the basis of statements of two anonymous whistleblowers.
One of those whistleblowers is a former managing director. He explains: “In the above function I have price agreements between the telecommunications company KPN, Vodafone, and T-Mobile observed. (…) There are very few people who are familiar with the details of the price fixing (…). I have with miscellaneous of them directly worked.” The other whistleblower, a member of the board that is still in function, tells us about a consultation on the prices of mobile internet for the prepaid market. “The directors have carried out consultation on the optimal price for mobile internet for prepaid. In this consultation were the potential prizes are exchanged for the mobile internet. A few months later I noticed that the prices have indeed been introduced.”
PVV Mp Jhim van Bemmel says to current affairs programme Nieuwsuur that the raids make clear that there is more competition on the Dutch telecom market. “To the left or right, we will be hard competition to introduce into that market. We must as a Second Room up to ensure that new providers can compete.”