Press Release: Telecommunications: the Commission calls on Luxembourg to comply with a Court judgment

The European Commission has formally asked Luxembourg to comply with a judgment given by the Court of Justice on 12 June 2003 requiring it to apply correctly a 1990 Directive on competition in the markets for telecommunications services (90/388/CEE). Despite changes to its legislation, Luxembourg still retains a procedure for issuing rights of way which discriminates against competitors of the traditional operator, since they are not always able to obtain the permits they need to construct their own infrastructure alongside roads and railway lines. The formal request is in the form of a reasoned opinion, the second stage of the infringement procedure provided for in Article 228 of the EC Treaty. If Luxembourg continues to fail to comply, the Commission could refer the matter to the Court and ask it to impose a daily fine.