Orange Belgium regrets that the European Commission comments have only marginally resulted in changes to the draft decision.
Orange Belgium considers that the wholesale charges, especially for the high-speed internet access services, will remain significantly above “fair charges” to the detriment of consumers. Furthermore, the significant increase of the charges over time (up to 25%) will result in unjustified and regular retail price increases for Belgian consumers.
Orange Belgium requests the regulators to monitor closely the effects of this decision on the price evolution for Belgian customers, as asked by the European Commission; and to initiate a review of the wholesale prices as soon as a negative effect is observed on retail prices so that systematic retail tariff increases can be limited.
Such an evaluation should be planned at the latest before end of 2021.