18.12.2009

Supreme Administrative Court dismissed TV operators' appeal against the pricing of analogue broadcasting services

In its decision issued today, the Supreme Administrative Court (later Court) has taken the view that there is no longer reason to examine the pricing of analogue television broadcasting services. In this respect, the TV operators' appeal against the Finnish Communications Regulatory Authority's (FICORA) decision has been dismissed. The Court ruled that it no longer is possible to tackle Digita's analogue pricing. Moreover, when the case was being processed at FICORA, it was, in fact, not possible to solve it as provided in the Communications Market Act.

Instead, the Court remitted the case concerning the pricing and grounds of certain digital television broadcasting services to FICORA for review. In order to be able to make its own assessment, the Court needs more precise reasons to support why FICORA is of the view that the pricing of these services is cost-oriented and therefore acceptable.

As requested by the Court, FICORA will issue a new decision on the pricing of digital television broadcasting services without delay.

The case concerning the pricing of analogue broadcasting services is still being investigated by the Finnish Competition Authority. FICORA transferred the case to the Finnish Competition Authority in the spring of 2008.

Further information:

Johanna Juusela, Director, tel. +358 9 6966 878, +358 40 542 7132

Marja Lehtimäki, Head of Communications Market Supervision tel. +358 9 6966 857, +358 50 320 5181