EU Takes Action Against Bulgaria Over Poor Telecom Regulation

BRUSSELS -(Dow Jones)- The European Commission Wednesday launched legal action against Bulgaria, saying it has failed to ensure the independence of its telecommunications regulator.

The European Commission said the country's watchdog has been slow to appoint a chairman, thereby hampering the decision-making process, and core tasks have been left undone. Some of the watchdog's members also serve on other regulatory boards, creating possible conflicts of interest.

"A malfunctioning national regulator means a malfunctioning telecoms markets," said EU Telecoms Commissioner Viviane Reding. She said the situation endangers the competitiveness of the Bulgarian economy, damages industry and deprives consumers of low prices and innovative services.

Meetings with Bulgarian authorities and letters from the commission on the matter haven't produced any changes, the commission said.

-By Kaitlyn Burnell, Dow Jones Newswires; +32 (0)2 741 1487; kaitlyn.burnell@dowjones.com

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

Posted to the site on 28th November 2007