NMa revises sanctions decision following CBb ruling

The Netherlands Competition Authority (NMa) has revised a sanctions decision following the ruling of 31 December 2007 by the Trade and Industry Appeals Tribunal [College van Beroep voor het bedrijfsleven (CBb)]. In so doing, the competition authority scrapped the fine previously imposed on telecommunications operator Orange.

The fine was imposed at the time, as the NMa deemed Orange's collusion with other mobile telecommunications operators in lowering dealer rebates to have been sufficiently proven. Operators offer dealer rebates to retailers for the sale of mobile services, including subscriptions. The CBb, however, judged that the NMa had failed sufficiently to establish Orange's participation in this collusive practices.