MEMO/09/22
Brussels, 22nd January 2009
Antitrust: Commission confirms inspection of Slovak Telekom a.s.
The European Commission can confirm that from 13 to 15th January 2009 Commission officials carried out an unannounced inspection at the premises of Slovak Telekom a.s., the incumbent telecom operator in Slovakia. The Commission has reason to believe that the company concerned may have infringed EC Treaty rules on abuse of a dominant market position (Article 82). The suspected conduct may include refusal to supply, margin squeeze and tying, possibly as part of an overall strategy to exclude competitors from the market.
The Commission officials were accompanied by their counterparts from the Slovak national competition authority – Protimonopolný úrad.
Surprise inspections are a preliminary step in investigations into suspected abuse of dominant position. The fact that the Commission carries out such inspections does not mean that the company is guilty of anti-competitive behaviour; nor does it prejudge the outcome of the investigation itself. The Commission respects the rights of defence, in particular the right of companies to be heard in antitrust proceedings.
There is no strict deadline to complete an antitrust investigation. Its duration depends on a number of factors, including the complexity of the case and the exercise of the rights of defence.
