Press Release: Antitrust: Commission fines Slovak Telekom and its parent, Deutsche Telekom, for abusive conduct in Slovak broadband market

On the 15 October 2014 after an in-depth investigation the European Commission imposed a fine of € 38 838 000 on Slovak Telekom a.s. and its parent company, Deutsche Telekom AG, for having pursued during more than five years an abusive strategy to shut out competitors from the Slovak market for broadband services, in breach of EU antitrust rules.

In particular, the Commission concluded that Slovak Telekom refused to supply unbundled access to its local loops to competitors, and imposed a margin squeeze on alternative operators. Deutsche Telekom as parent company with decisive influence is also responsible for the conduct of its subsidiary; it is therefore jointly and severally liable for Slovak Telekom's fine.

Deutsche Telekom also received an additional fine of € 31 070 000 to ensure sufficient deterrence as well as to sanction its repeated abusive behaviour (recidivism) as it had already been fined in 2003 for a margin squeeze in broadband markets in Germany.

ESO: Background information: Antitrust: Commission sends statement of objections to Slovak Telekom and Deutsche Telekom http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-antitrust-commission-sends-statement-of-objections-to-slovak-telekom-and-deutsche-telekom/

European Commission: RAPID: MEMO/14/590: Antitrust: Commission decision on abusive conduct on Slovak broadband markets by Slovak Telekom and Deutsche Telekom - frequently asked questions http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_MEMO-14-590_en.htm

Deutsche Welle, 15.10.14: Deutsche Telekom fined for 'margin squeeze' tactics in Slovakia http://dw.de/p/1DW4P

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