Press Release: Competition: Commission refers Hungary to Court for failure to abolish restrictions on cable TV services

The European Commission has decided to refer Hungary to the European Court of Justice for failure to comply with EC Treaty competition rules, and in particular the Commission Directive on electronic communications. Under the Directive, Hungary had to abolish all restrictions on the provision of electronic communications services, including broadcasting transmission services, by 1 May 2004. However Hungary has not yet abolished the provision of the Media Act that prevents cable TV operators providing cable TV services to more than one third of the Hungarian population. The referral to the Court of Justice is the final step in the infringement procedure pursuant to Article 226 of the EC Treaty.

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