Telecommunications 2017: Bank on competition!
Special Report pursuant to Sec. 121(2) of the German Telecommunications Act, Bonn, 4 December 2017
- Public funding of the broadband expansion should only be provided in areas where expansion is not taking place through private enterprise. Funding programmes should be customised and supplemented by demand-side instruments.
- Incentives for the commercial expansion of high-performance broadband networks should be enhanced by abandoning a strictly cost-oriented regulation of new fibre-optic networks.
- When frequencies are allocated for the new fifth generation (5G) mobile communications standard the mobile network operators should be obligated to offer wholesale products on non-discriminatory terms.
Energy 2017: Avoid patchwork, targeted action required
Special Report pursuant to Sec. 62 of the Law on the Energy Industry, Bonn, 6 October 2017
- Monopolies Commission recommends regional network charge for renewable energy generators to limit costs of network expansion
- The EU emission trade system should be strengthened by including additional sectors to achieve greenhouse gas reduction targets
- Monopolies Commission calls for adjustments with respect to the awarding of concessions for network operation to relieve consumers
Railway 2017: Construction sites in competition policy
Special Report by the Monopolies Commission pursuant to Sec. 78 of the Railway Regulation Act, Bonn, 3. August 2017
- Deficits in competition in the railway sector continue to exist.
- A competitive funding framework needs to be based on a thorough cost-benefit analysis of railway, road, air and water transport.
- Monopolies Commission recommends to revise the railway regulation act.
- In passenger transport, competition is hindered by the prevailing cooperation structures for common tariffs and ticket sales.
