Gibraltar Telco Said To Be In 'Dominant Position'

Iberia News

17 July 2001

This story has been reproduced by kind permission of Iberia News at: http://www.iberianews.com

According to the latest reports received by Iberia News it has been alleged by industry sources that prior to the revelation that GNC would be introducing a 45mb facility to businesses and its weekender service, local company Call Direct had approached GNC.

The approach is said to have been with a view on co-operating to set up a project to improve and lessen the cost of telecommunications services, and was to be called the “Bookienet”.

The proposal is allegedly reported to have been explained in a proposal presented to GNC who were at the time showing some interest in the project itself.

GNC, who were believed not to be gaining any income at the time from bookmakers, were offered a 50% share of the project .

According to the same industry sources it is alleged that GNC rejected the project and set up to install their own additional bandwidth facilities to provide the service, only recently being revealed that such facilities have been on offer to bookmakers and will be extended to the business community.

These latest allegations have led to concern within the industry that GNC are holding a dominant position whilst the liberalization of telecommunications does not take place and whilst the Government continues to hold 50% of the ownership of the company.

Call Direct are also reported to have written to GNC complaining officially about what they perceive as being an abuse of their dominant position, claiming that GNC are GNC are trying to maintain control of their dominant position. Call Direct's actions are seen as defending the interests of the industry and have claimed to be defending the rights of the consumer at the same time.

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