Anti-Monopoly Authority Fines Slovak Telekom 2nd Straight Year

BRATISLAVA (AFP)--Slovakia's anti-monopoly authority said Wednesday it is fining Slovak Telekom 885 million koruna (EUR29.2 million) for abusing its dominant market position.

The company, 51% owned by Deutsche Telekom with the rest belonging to the Slovak state, offers fixed-line services as well as the mobile phone services of T-Mobile.

The anti-monopoly authority PMU said it is imposing the fine because Slovak Telekom refused to open up its local network to competitors.

"Slovak Telekom has for a long time distorted the competitive environment, which has had negative consequences for consumers," the PMU said in a statement.

At the end of last year, the PMU fined Slovak Telekom 526 million koruna for anti-competitive behaviour.

-Dow Jones Newswires, 201-938-5500

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

Posted to the site on 20th August 2008