Advanced Television

Abertis Telecom under fire

November 19, 2007

From David Del Valle in Madrid

The Spanish Competition Body, CNC, has found evidence against the infrastructure company Abertis of abuse of dominant position in the TV signals carriage market and has decided to continue its legal proceedings against the operator.

The Anti-trust Body has accepted the appeal lodged by Axión, Sogecable and Telecinco against the dismissal of the case on the grounds that Abertis Telecom has “a dominant position” in the market, in both the carriage of (analogue) terrestrial and digital television.

For the CNC, the conditions imposed by Abertis Telecom in its contracts with broadcasters are against free competition and hinder the entry of new companies into the market.

Recently, Abertis Telecom became the largest shareholder in Spanish satellite Hispasat following its acquisition of a 28.4 per cent stake reaching a total of 37.3 per cent, as the company also holds an indirect holding through its 32 per cent stake in Eutelsat.

Meanwhile, Abertis Infraestructuras SA’s telecoms unit has said it will work together with the Chinese government to develop mobile television projects. In a statement, Abertis said the deal was reached through the state-owned scientific research centre ABS.

Categories: Articles