The European Commission has told Belgian regulator BIPT to tighten its oversight of the fixed telephony market. In a letter to the regulator, the EC asked BIPT to ensure existing wholesale measures are enforced and to conduct a new market analysis within the next year.
The EC also wants new price controls on incumbent Belgacom to ensure the cost of fixed-line calls decline. According to the Commission, all the regulatory measures needed are in place in Belgium, but prices remain among the highest in the EU.
In particular, the Commission wants to see the wholesale line rental obligation imposed on Belgacom in 2006 enforced. The carrier pre-select system, started in 2000, and high broadband penetration have yet to have a significant effect on the fixed line telephony market.