COURT SUPPORTED FAS IN CASES AGANINST MTS AND MEGAFON
24-07-2023 | 10:43
Mobile network operators unreasonably increased the cost of services for subscribers
Arbitration court of Moscow declined claims of MTS PJSC and MegaFon PJSC to appeal the rulings and remedies of the authority, as well as decisions on the imposition of fines*.
In 2022, operators unreasonably increased the cost of services for more than 44.5 million subscribers, justifying this by increase in their costs.
FAS Russia came to the conclusion that the increase in tariffs in the absence of technological, economic and other justification violates the interests of consumers. The authority ordered to reduce tariffs to an economically justified level.
As a result of an administrative investigation, FAS Russia imposed fines on MTS and Megafon for violating antimonopoly legislation**.
The companies tried to appeal against the rulings and remedies of FAS Russia, as well as decisions on the imposition of fines, but the court of first instance supported position of FAS.
For reference:
* In accordance with Part 1 of Article 14.31 of Administrative Code of the Russian Federation
** On grounds of violation of Paragraph 1 of Part 1 of Article 10 of the Law on Protection of Competition