Montenegro’s telecommunications landscape is under scrutiny as authorities anticipate a significant court ruling regarding potential anti-competitive behavior among the country’s leading mobile network operators. The case focuses on allegations of a cartel-like agreement involving the three major operators—Telekom, One, and Mtel—concerning their pricing strategies, which may have hindered competition within the sector.
The investigation was initiated by the Agency for Protection of Competition (AZK) in April 2024, following suspicions that these operators engaged in prohibited collusion by coordinating their pricing for prepaid mobile services. The AZK’s formal findings indicated that the companies allegedly agreed to establish a minimum recharge price of €5 for specific prepaid offerings, a practice deemed by regulators as potentially detrimental to market competition.
In response to the AZK’s findings, the operators contested the investigation and its conclusions in the Administrative Court, asserting that their pricing strategies were based on standard commercial practices rather than any illicit agreement. Recently, the Administrative Court upheld the AZK’s authority by rejecting Telekom’s appeal aimed at nullifying the regulator’s initial decision. This ruling allows the AZK to proceed with its examination of the alleged anti-competitive conduct.
The forthcoming decision from the court is expected to be pivotal in determining whether a forbidden agreement existed among these telecom companies. It will also influence how future competition cases are addressed within Montenegro’s evolving mobile market.
This case is being closely monitored by industry participants due to its potential ramifications for competition law enforcement and pricing strategies across the telecommunications sector in Montenegro and potentially beyond.
