Nordic Business Report-October 25, 2006-Tele2 AB increases damages claim against Czech telecomms operator Telefonica O2
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The Sweden-based European telecommunications operator Tele2 AB said on Wednesday (25 October) that it has decided to increase its EUR74m damages claim against the Czech operator Telefonica O2 (formerly Cesky Telecom).
Tele2 announced its intention to increase the damages claim after a regional court in the Czech Republic rejected Telefonica O2's appeal against a fine imposed by the Czech competition authority.
The Czech competition authority fined Telefonica O2 approximately EUR7.1m for abusing its dominant position through a retail pricing scheme involving the bundling of telephone services with "free" minutes.
"The Court's ruling confirms Tele2's allegations that Telefonica O2 damaged alternative operators. In light of this, Tele2 intends to increase its claim for damages to also reflect the damages that occurred after it submitted its damages claim to the Court," Tele2 said.
Tele2 sold its Czech operations earlier this year due to what it regarded as a lack of improvement in the regulatory environment in the Czech Republic.
Tele2, headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden, brands itself as Europe's leading alternative telecomms operator. The operator has 31m customers in 22 countries. Tele2 is listed on the Nordic Exchange in Stockholm.
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