The Competition Authority and the Exchange made in March 2013 agreement on the conclusion of the cases that the supervisory authority was then investigating. The settlement was taken into account in the Competition Authority's decision. No. 6/2013 from 26 March 2013, the terms of which are set out therein. The decision made extensive changes to the structure of the Telecommunications Group and, thereby, to the Icelandic telecommunications market, with the aim of strengthening competition. It is intended to ensure that competitors of Síminn are on an equal footing with Síminn itself regarding access to Skipta's basic telecommunications networks. A summary of the content of the decision is as follows: find here.
The decision provides that The Authority shall establish a special supervisory committee on equal access for telecommunications companies to Míla's services and the Telephone Company's wholesale services. HThe committee's role includes monitoring the implementation of changes and overseeing compliance with the conditions. The committee must report to the Competition Authority if it becomes aware that the conditions of the decision may have been breached.
The members of the Committee were nominated by Skiptir, but the nomination of two independent members was subject to the approval of the Competition Authority, in consultation with the Postal and Telecommunications Authority (PFS). The selection of the board had to take into account the objectives of the decision, including the need to create adequate confidence in the operations of Skiptir. This related both to the members' expertise and to their positions and occupations. The members of the committee, which was established in July this year, are:
To provide market participants with a means of obtaining a quicker resolution of their matters, where possible, the supervisory board is, amongst other things, tasked with receiving complaints and/or suggestions from telecommunications operators. This provides a market participant with an option for a potentially swift resolution to various matters. The supervisory board shall endeavour to reach a unanimous decision, but if this is not possible, the decision shall be made by a majority vote. If a party does not agree with the supervisory board's decision, the board shall inform them of the possibility of referring the dispute to the relevant authorities or the courts.
For the avoidance of doubt, the role of the committee does not in any way involve a transfer of the powers and duties of the Competition Authority or other regulators. However, it is expected that market participants will not need to turn to the Competition Authority as frequently as before, as they will be able to resolve their matters at an early stage.
The supervisory board has now launched a website where, among other things, you can find information about the board's email address and procedures. The board's website is www.ejaf.is. As stated, comments and complaints can be sent to the committee at the postal address.ejaf@ejaf.is
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