Czech regulator to introduce symmetric MTRs from 1 April

Czech telecoms regulator the Czech Telecommunications Office (CTU) has opted to postpone the introduction of new mobile termination rates (MTRs) for Telefonica Czech Republic and T-Mobile Czech Republic by one month, to 1 April 2013. As a result, it aims to dovetail the implementation of symmetrical MTRs for all three incumbent cellcos (i.e. the third being Vodafone), in line with requirements set down by the European Commission (EC). Under its plan, the CTU intends to put in place a single CZK0.41 (USD0.02082) per minute rate (+VAT) for wholesale MTRs, from that date. The postponement is the result of a delay in the delivery of a ‘relevant price decision’ the regulator said. Further, it is understood that the CTU has also discussed and approved for public consultation, a draft decision intended to regulate pricing for access to the local loop and for related co-location services provided by the incumbent Telefonica O2 CR. Finally, the watchdog also approved plans to start a review of Market 6 (wholesale termination of leased lines) and Market 7 (call termination on mobile networks).