FAS FOUND THAT “MEGAFON” VIOLATED THE ANTIMONOPOLY LAW

The mobile operator created discriminatory conditions for private companies

On 16 May 2019, the Federal Antimonopoly Service found that “Megafon” PJSC violated the Federal Law “On Protection of Competition”.

Based on the results of its investigation, the Antimonopoly Service established that contracts conditions with private companies differ from contract conditions with companies with state participation in their capital.

The Antimonopoly Service exposed that difference can reach up to 10 times, i.e., companies with a state share can pay several times less than private companies. This circumstance creates discriminatory conditions and is contrary to the antimonopoly law. One of the examples concerns, in particular, informational, service and transaction SMS-messaging by banks.

FAS has recognized that “Megafon” PJSC violated the Federal Law “On Protection of Competition” in the part of creating discriminatory conditions when consumers of sms-messaging service are put in unequal condition (Clause 8 Part 1 Article 10).

FAS also found a violation of Clause 1 Part 1 Article 10 of the Federal Law “On Protection of Competition”: fixing monopolistically high price for sms-messaging.

The Antimonopoly Service shall issue an order to “Megafon” PJSC to eliminate violations of the Federal Law “On Protection of Competition” that are also liable under Article 14.31 of the Code on Antimonopoly Violations.