May 19, 2012
The model contract for energy is a clear and easy-to-read contract. Once adopted, it allows consumers to easily compare model contracts of various energy suppliers. The only thing that is different is the price, while all other contract conditions remain the same. This is a comforting thought, particularly to consumers who get somewhat confused by all the different conditions suppliers set, and who find it difficult to compare them. It is this segment of consumers that sees all of those conditions as a barrier to switch suppliers. Read more
April 19, 2012
The association in which regional transport undertakings in the Netherlands that transport students are organized, VSS, does not give any information in advance on revenues and settlement of costs of the student public-transport smart card to transport undertakings when preparing bids for regional-transport contracts. Such information is of great value to transport undertakings in order for them to be able to make competitive bids. VSS allocates funds from the Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture and Science to transport undertakings transporting students. Information that VSS provides to the contracting authorities is cur... Read more
April 13, 2012
After conducting a preliminary investigation in the notification phase, the Netherlands Competition Authority (NMa) has concluded that Dutch telecom provider KPN’s acquisition plans of four fiber-optic providers of Reggeborgh (Edutel, XMS and Concepts ICT, KickXL) require a merger license. At the same time, the NMa has given the green light to the acquisition of three of Reggefiber’s units that are active in the fiber-optic market: Lijbrandt, Glashart Media and Reggefiber Wholesale. Read more
April 12, 2012
The acquisition of Dutch baking company A.A. ter Beek (with its flagship brand Bolletje) by rival baking company Continental Bakeries may impede competition in the rusk market and in the private-label spiced rye bread market. That is why the Netherlands Competition Authority (NMa) has ruled that this acquisition requires a license first. If parties indeed file a license application, the NMa will investigate the acquisition’s impact on competition in further detail. Read more
April 12, 2012
Regulation has enabled Dutch transmission system operator TenneT to recover its efficient costs and realize a reasonable return. These are the conclusions the Netherlands Competition Authority (NMa) comes to in a study into TenneT’s returns through 2010 on its regulated transmission and system services. In its regulatory regime (through 2010), the NMa uses a projected long-term average real return of 5.4 per cent. According to the NMa’s calculation methods, TenneT’s actual return in 2010 was 2.5 per cent on its regulated services. However, the NMa last year ruled that TenneT was still entitled to an additional compensation... Read more
April 10, 2012
Dutch telecom company KPN and CIF, owner of Dutch cable company CAIW, have withdrawn their license application for the acquisition of CAIW by KPN. Both companies have informed the Netherlands Competition Authority (NMa) of their decision. KPN and CIF came to this decision after the NMa had indicated that it, even after an additional investigation, continued to have concerns about the strong position KPN would secure in CAIW’s catchment area. The NMa’s concerns primarily related to reduced consumer choices for television services, internet access and landline telephony services. Now that KPN and CIF have withdrawn their lic... Read more
