Press Release: Telecoms: Commission asks Danish regulator to reconsider regulation of terminating calls to premium rate services

In a letter sent on 26 October 2009, the European Commission called on the Danish telecoms regulator, IT- og Telestyrelsen (NITA), to reconsider its regulatory approach for terminating calls to non-geographic numbers operated by service providers that offer premium rate services to end-users. Unlike national regulators in other EU Member States, NITA regulates the price of these services, setting them at the same level as for 'ordinary' termination services. However, as recognised by the Commission's Recommendation on Termination Rates, terminating calls to service providers is generally characterised by different competitive conditions than terminating calls to end-users and therefore not necessarily subject to regulation. Against this background, the Commission invited NITA to re-assess whether the obligations imposed in this regard on TDC, the Danish incumbent operator, in particular concerning price control, were indeed proportionate and justified.