The Belgian competition authority has fined mobile operator Proximus EUR 66.3 million for abusing its dominant market position. In the period 2002 to 2005, Proximus offered business customers substantial discounts that resulted in its prcies coming in lower than the wholesale rates offered to other operators and MVNOs, the regulator found. The investigation resulted from a complaint by rival mobile operator Base in October 2005, which Mobistar and MVNOs also later joined. Base said Proximus' pricing forced it to exit the business market, and the mobile operator hopes to use the regulatory ruling to file a damages claim. Base earlier estimated its damages at up to EUR 1 billion and has called for further action by telecoms regulator BIPT and the competition authority. Proximus' parent company Belgacom announced plans for a press briefing on the fine in the afternoon on 27 May.
