25 October 2000
On 18 October 2000, the President of Autorité de régulation des télécommunications (ART) in application of article L. 36-10 of the Post and Telecommunications Code, lodged a complaint with the Conseil de la concurrence for abuse of a dominant market position because of France Telecom's "France line" service.
The complaint includes a request for protective measures, i.e. the removal of the "France line" offer until the conditions allowing third-party operators to offer competing offers are met.
This offer groups the line subscription and a local and national long-distance call fixed rate.
In its opinion of 4 October, ART considered that France Telecom's pairing of local calls—where it currently has a de facto monopoly—with long-distance calls—where competition exists—is an unfair trade practice.
Linked documents
Opinion no. 00-1026 (pdf - 29KB) on this pricing proposal