OREANDA-NEWS. November 12, 2012. The 19th Arbitration Appeal Court upheld the decision of Kursk Regional Arbitration Court, which on 24th August 2012 dismissed the claim of “Rostelecom” OJSC to invalidate the decision of the Office of the Federal Antimonopoly Service in the Kursk region (Kursk OFAS Russia) and the determination to stop the antimonopoly violations, reported the press-centre of FAS Russia.

On 11th October 2011, the Commission of Kursk OFAS Russia found that the largest communications operator in Russia - “Rostelecom” OJSC (in the person of its Kursk branch) violated the antimonopoly law.

Having investigated the case, the Commission concluded that “Rostelecom” OJSC improperly executed its obligations to provide information-and reference services to the users of telephony services. The company forced customers that called “09” free inquiry service to approach the fee-based inquiry service.

The Commission of Kursk OFAS Russia issued a determination to “Rostelecom” OJSC to eliminate the violation of the antimonopoly law. “Rostelecom” OJSC, however, disagreed with actions of Kursk OFAS Russia and filed a lawsuit to Kursk Regional Arbitration Court, which supported the decision of the regional Office of the Federal Antimonopoly Service. Then company appealed the judgment.

Having examined the case, the 19th Arbitration Appeal Court ruled that the communications operator - “Rostelecom” OJSC – must execute the determination of the Commission of Kursk OFAS Russia and stop violating the antimonopoly law.

“Agreeing with the decision of the Commission of Kursk OFAS Russia, the Appeal Court passed a reasoned ruling which meets the interest of the residents of the Kursk region who use free inquiry service of “Rostelecom” OJSC”, pointed out the Head of Kursk OFAS Russia, Yuri Komov.