BEREC Workshop on Oligopoly Analysis and Regulation: Updated Agenda and Speakers

16 February 2015

Opening remarks

  

Fátima Barros, 2015 BEREC Chair

Introduction by the moderator

                      Patrick Rey, Toulouse School of Economics

Panel discussion I: Among trends leading to oligopolistic market structures in Europe, the example of mergers and acquisitions

-          Are there potential benefits and opportunities derived?

-          What are the main threats to competition and to the interests of consumers?

-          In which markets these are more likely to be impacted?

Participants:

European experiences:

Marc Furrer, President, Swiss Federal Communications Commission (ComCom)

Johannes Gungl, CEO, Austrian Regulatory Authority for Broadcasting and Telecommunications (RTR)

Giulio Federico, Chief Economist Team,DG Competition, European Commission

Stakeholders Perspectives:

Steven Tas, Chairman of the Executive Board, European Telecommunications Network Operators' Association (ETNO)

Erzsébet Fitori, Director, European Competitive Telecommunications Association(ECTA)

Jacques Bonifay, Chair of the European Association of Full MVNOs (EAFM)

Laszlo Toth, Senior Director, Europe, GSM Association (GSMA)

 

Panel discussion II: Market analysis in the context of potential oligopolistic situations

-          Does the concept of joint dominance enable to adequately address competitive issues arising from oligopolistic situations?

-          Is there a need to make changes to the existing regulatory framework to address any new or existing competition problem?

Participants:

Steven Tas, Chairman of the Executive Board, European Telecommunications Network Operators' Association (ETNO)

Erzsébet Fitori, Director, European Competitive Telecommunications Association(ECTA)

Matthias Kurth, Executive Chairman, Cable Europe

Jacques Bonifay, Chair of the European Association of Full MVNOs (EAFM)

Laszlo Toth, Senior Director, Europe, GSM Association (GSMA)

 

Panel discussion III: Remedies in the context of oligopolistic situations

-          What specific issues should be considered when selecting remedies in the context of oligopolistic situations?

-          Could symmetric regulation be more appropriate to tackle competition issues resulting from oligopolistic market structure than asymmetric regulation?

Participants:

Steven Tas, Chairman of the Executive Board, European Telecommunications Network Operators' Association (ETNO)

Erzsébet Fitori, Director, European Competitive Telecommunications Association(ECTA)

Matthias Kurth, Executive Chairman, Cable Europe

Jacques Bonifay, Chair of the European Association of Full MVNOs (EAFM)

Laszlo Toth, Senior Director, Europe, GSM Association (GSMA)

 

Closing remark

 

                                          Fátima Barros, BEREC Chair 2015