OREANDA-NEWS. July 22, 2013. FAS finalized the cases against “Skartel” Ltd. opened upon violating Clauses 8 and 9 Part 1 Article 10 of the Federal Law “On Protection of Competition”. It was suspected that the company created discriminatory conditions and prevented entry to the market of the services for high-speed wireless mobile access to the Internet (LTE standard).

Having studied the case materials and circumstances, and analyzed the arguments and explanations of the parties to the case as well as expert reports, FAS concluded that there was no sufficient proof that “Skartel” Ltd. had prevented entry to the market of communication services in LTE standard providing radio access infrastructure to LTE network (2500-2530/2620-2650 MHz).

FAS also did not identify any facts of antimonopoly violations committed by “Skartel” Ltd: creating discriminatory conditions and preventing entry to LTE communications services.

At the same time, to eliminate “digital inequality” and ensure access of the population of the Russian Federation to high-technology communications services, FAS finds it necessary to undertake measures towards further development of the communications services market.

In the near future FAS will forward to the Ministry of Communications its recommendations and proposals based on the case outcome and aimed a developing competition on the market of communications services, including:

1. Eliminating administrative barriers that require using certain types of equipment

2. Drafting legal acts aimed at developing MVNO in Russia

3. Put into practice the “technological neutrality” principle for using radio frequency spectrum in general and 1710-1880 MHz in particular

4. Create possibilities for development of regional operators that put competitive pressure on the federal operators.