global competition review telecoms and media an …

Telecoms and MediaAn overview of regulation in 46 jurisdictions worldwideContributing editors: Laurent Garzaniti and Natasha Good

2012

Published by Getting the Deal Through

in association with:Al Kamel Law Office

Anjarwalla and Khanna AdvocatesBarretto Ferreira, Kujawski e Brancher Sociedade de

AdvogadosBentsi-Enchill, Letsa & Ankomah

BLP AbogadosCarey y Cía

Cocalis & PsarrasCoelho Ribeiro e Associados

Debarliev, Dameski & Kelesoska Attorneys at LawDrew & Napier LLC

Edward Nathan SonnenbergsFreshfields Bruckhaus Deringer

Greenberg Traurig, SCHarris Kyriakides LLCJ J Roca & Asociados

Lenz & StaehelinLG Avocats

Mannheimer Swartling AdvokatbyråMatheson Ormsby Prentice

National Regulatory Agency for Electronic Communications and Information Technologies – Moldova

Oentoeng Suria & PartnersSchool of Law, University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce

Seth Dua & AssociatesStikeman Elliott LLP

SyCip Salazar Hernandez & GatmaitanTelecommunications Regulatory Authority – Bahrain

The Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of the Slovak Republic

Udo Udoma & Belo-OsagieWebb Henderson

Wierzbowski EvershedsWiltshire & Grannis LLP

Wong Jin Nee & TeoYangMing Partners

Zang, Bergel & Viñes Abogados

® GCRGLOBAL COMPETITION REVIEW

Overview Laurent Garzaniti, Natasha Good and Hein Hobbelen Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer 3

Argentina Pablo Crescimbeni and María Laura Barbosa Zang, Bergel & Viñes Abogados 6

Australia Angus Henderson, Raymond Roca and Rebecca Iglesias Webb Henderson 15

Austria Bertram Burtscher and Stefan Köck Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer 29

Bahrain Eamon Holley and Alexandre Sérot Telecommunications Regulatory Authority – Bahrain 40

Belgium Laurent Garzaniti, Hein Hobbelen, Jan Blockx and Valerie Lefever Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP 48

Brazil Ricardo Barretto Ferreira and Fabio Ferreira Kujawski Barretto Ferreira, Kujawski e Brancher Sociedade de Advogados 61

Canada David Elder Stikeman Elliott LLP 70

Chile Alfonso Silva and Eduardo Martin Carey y Cía 81

China Mark Parsons, Xun Yang, Victoria White and Longbo Wang Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP 94

Costa Rica Eduardo Calderón, Luis Ortiz, Esteban Alfaro, José Monge and Gloriana Alvarado BLP Abogados 111

Cyprus Michalis Kyriakides and Penelope-Alexia Giosa Harris Kyriakides LLC 116

Dominican Republic Sharin Pablo de Roca, Yumari Torres de Guerra and Deborah Guzmán J J Roca & Asociados 125

Egypt Mohamed Hashish Al Kamel Law Office 132

European Union Laurent Garzaniti, Thomas Janssens, Hein Hobbelen and Diarmuid Laffan Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer 140

France Jérôme Philippe and Aude-Charlotte Guyon Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer 167

Germany Norbert Nolte and Philipp Becker Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer 181

Ghana Josiah Kojo Ankoma-Sey, Frank Nimako Akowuah and Susan-Barbara Adjorkor Kumapley Bentsi-Enchill, Letsa & Ankomah 192

Greece Alkis Psarras Cocalis & Psarras 200

Hong Kong Mark Parsons, Victoria White and Bianca Lau Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer 209

India Atul Dua, Rahul Goel and Anu Monga Seth Dua & Associates 227

Indonesia Noor Meurling, Toby Grainger, Dewi Sawitri and Alwin Redfordi Oentoeng Suria & Partners 237

Ireland Helen Kelly and Ciara Treacy Matheson Ormsby Prentice 245

Italy Tommaso Salonico and Luca Ulissi Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP 266

Kenya Karim Anjarwalla, Alex Mathini and Henry Ogutu Anjarwalla and Khanna Advocates 279

Luxembourg Stéphan le Goueff and Hervé Wolff LG Avocats 288

Macedonia Dragan Dameski and Elena Miceva Debarliev, Dameski & Kelesoska Attorneys at Law 295

Malaysia Wong Jin Nee and Chong Tze Lin Wong Jin Nee & Teo 302

Mexico Bertha Alicia Ordaz Avilés and Octavio Lecona Morales Greenberg Traurig, SC 313

Moldova Sergiu Sitnic National Regulatory Agency for Electronic Communications and Information Technologies 322

Netherlands Onno Brouwer, Winfred Knibbeler and Nima Lorjé Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP 331

New Zealand Malcolm Webb and Edward Willis Webb Henderson 340

Nigeria Jumoke K Lambo and Mr Godson Ogheneochuko Udo Udoma & Belo-Osagie 347

Philippines Rose Marie M King-Dominguez and Ruben P Acebedo II SyCip Salazar Hernandez & Gatmaitan 358

Poland Arwid Mednis, Bozena Marciniak and Artur Salbert Wierzbowski Eversheds 366

Portugal Jaime Medeiros and Mónica Oliveira Costa Coelho Ribeiro e Associados 377

Russia Igor Gerber and Andrey Filippenko Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP 387

Singapore Chong Kin Lim and Charmian Aw Drew & Napier LLC 405

Slovakia The Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of the Slovak Republic 426

South Africa Zaid Gardner Edward Nathan Sonnenbergs 432

Spain Francisco Cantos, Soledad Gómez and Alejandro Milá Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP 441

Sweden Bo Söderberg, Stefan Widmark and Martin Gynnerstedt Mannheimer Swartling Advokatbyrå 454

Switzerland Marcel Meinhardt, Astrid Waser and Michael Cabalzar Lenz & Staehelin 465

Taiwan Robert C Lee, Lisa Lin and Ivan Pan YangMing Partners 474

Thailand Sudharma Yoonaidharma School of Law, University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce 482

United Kingdom Rod Carlton, Mark Sansom and Olivia Hagger Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP 491

United States John Nakahata, Kent Bressie, Paul Margie, Brita Strandberg and Michael Nilsson Wiltshire & Grannis LLP 508

Quick Reference Tables 517

Telecoms and Media 2012

Contributing editors Laurent Garzaniti and Natasha Good Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer

Business development managers Alan Lee George Ingledew Robyn Hetherington Dan White

Marketing managers Ellie Notley Alice Hazard

Marketing assistants William Bentley Zosia Demkowicz

Admin assistant Megan Friedman

Marketing manager (subscriptions) Rachel Nurse [email protected]

Assistant editor Adam Myers

Editorial assistant Lydia Gerges

Senior production editor Jonathan Cowie

Chief subeditor Jonathan Allen

Subeditors Anna Andreoli Davet Hyland Caroline Rawson Charlotte Stretch

Editor-in-chief Callum Campbell

Publisher Richard Davey

Telecoms and Media 2012 Published by Law Business Research Ltd 87 Lancaster Road London, W11 1QQ, UK Tel: +44 20 7908 1188 Fax: +44 20 7229 6910 © Law Business Research Ltd 2012

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CONTENTS

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LawBusinessResearch

Poland Wierzbowski Eversheds

366 Getting the Deal Through – Telecoms and Media 2012

PolandArwid Mednis, Bozena Marciniak and Artur Salbert

Wierzbowski Eversheds

Communications policy

1 Policy

Summarise the regulatory framework for the telecoms and media sector. What is the policymaking procedure? Has the EU regulatory framework (including the market reviews) been fully transposed into your national law, as far as currently required?

The main aims of government and regulatory policy for the telecoms sector are to:• reducethecostsoftelecommunicationsservicesinpublicfixedandmobiletelephonenetworks;

• ensureconditionsforincreasingaccesstobroadband;• supportthedevelopmentofcompetitioninthetelecomsmarket;• promotenewtechnologies,withregardtotheprincipleoftech-nologicalneutrality;

• managetheradiofrequencyspectrumeffectively;and• ensurecomplianceandproperuseofthetelecommunicationsequipmentintroducedtothemarket.

TheTelecommunicationsLawgenerallyadjustsPolishlawtotheEUregulations(includingmarketreviews)includedinelectroniccom-municationdirectivesacceptedbytheEuropeanParliamentin2002.PolandhasnotyetbroughtitsTelecommunicationsLawinlinewithDirective2009/140/ECandDirective2009/136/EC.Statepolicyinthetelecomssectorismanagedbytheminister

of administration and digitalisation and the president of the Office ofElectronicCommunications(UKE).ThepresidentoftheUKEperforms duties relating to the regulation of telecoms activities and frequencymanagement,andcooperateswiththeministerofadmin-istrationanddigitalisationindraftinglegislation,aswellaswithinternational telecoms organisations and relevant foreign national authorities.Themain featuresof broadcasting sectorpolicy include the

gradualcreationofabalanced,competitivemarketforbroadcastingservices,creationofasinglemarketforproductionanddistribu-tionintheaudio-visualsector,freedomoftelevisiontransmissionandpromotionofPolishcultureinEuropeandEuropeancultureinPoland.StatepolicyinthebroadcastingsectorismanagedbytheNationalBroadcastingCouncil(KRRiT).TheBroadcastingActgenerallybringsPolishlawinlinewith

theEUregulations.However,Polandisobligedtoimplementinfullthe provisions of audio-visual directives regarding on-demand audio-visualmediaservices.

2 Convergence

Has the telecoms-specific regulation been amended to take account of the convergence of telecoms, media and IT? Are there different legal definitions of ‘telecoms’ and ‘media’?

There is no specific regulation pertaining to convergence.There are separate regulations for telecoms and media (the

TelecommunicationsLawandBroadcastingLaw),andtheregulatoryauthorities,thepresidentoftheUKEandtheKRRiT,coverdistinctareas.TheregulationsoftheTelecommunicationsLaw,however,showthatthelegislatureisconsciousoftheneedtoregulatethisissue.ThepresidentoftheUKEhasbeenempoweredinanumberof regulatory instruments regarding technical aspects of television andradiobroadcasting.ThepresidentoftheUKEisalsoentitledtograntaradiofrequencylicencerequiredtobroadcastTVandradioprogrammes.

3 Broadcasting sector

Is broadcasting regulated separately from telecoms? If so, how?

ThebroadcastingsectorandcontentofprogrammetransmissionareregulatedseparatelyfromtelecomsunderPolishlaw.Thepresi-dentoftheUKEisthestateauthorityresponsiblefortelecomssectormatters.TheKRRiTistheregulatorforradioandtelevisionmat-ters.However,thelawprovidesforclosecooperationbetweenthesetwoauthoritiesincertainareasandsomebroadcastingissuesareregulatedintheTelecommunicationsLaw.Likepublictelephonenetworks,broadcastradioandtelevisionprogrammesdisseminatedthrough a data transmission system may only operate after an entry intheregistermaintainedbytheKRRiT.TheaboveobligationdoesnotapplytosevenprogrammeslistedintheBroadcastingAct(ie,threepublicprogrammes,includingTVP1,TVP2andaregionalpro-grammeofTelewizjaPolskaSA,andfourcommercialprogrammes,includingTelewizjaPolsatSA,TVNSA,PolskieMediaSAandTel-ewizjaPulsSpz.o.o.).Withregard toradio frequency (RF)bands intended for the

broadcastingofradioortelevisionprogrammes,thepresidentoftheUKEisresponsiblefordraftingandmodifyingfrequencymanage-mentplansinagreementwiththepresidentoftheKRRiTonrequestoronhisorherowninitiative.

Telecoms regulation − general

4 WTO Basic Telecommunications Agreement

Has your jurisdiction committed to the WTO Basic Telecommunications Agreement and, if so, with what exceptions?

PolandjoinedtheWTOBasicTelecommunicationsAgreementwithcertainexceptions.However,noexceptionsarecurrentlyapplicable.

5 Public/private ownership

What proportion of any telecoms operator is owned by the state or private enterprise?

FranceTélécomholds47.5percentofthesharesinthePolishincum-bentTelekomunikacjaPolskaSA(TPSA),andthestatetreasuryholds3.87percent.TPSAshareshavealsobeenfloatedontheWarsawStockExchange,withglobaldepositaryreceiptslistedontheLondonStockExchange.

www.gettingthedealthrough.com 367

Wierzbowski Eversheds poland

6 Foreign ownership

Do foreign ownership restrictions apply to authorisation to provide

telecoms services?

TheTelecommunicationsLawisharmonisedwithEUregulationswithrespecttoforeignownershipissues,andprovidesforfullliber-alisationforforeigninvestors.

7 Fixed, mobile and satellite services

Comparatively, how are fixed, mobile and satellite services regulated?

Under what conditions may public telephone services be provided?

Fixed,mobileandsatelliteservicesareregulatedbythepresidentoftheUKE.Provisionsconcerningproperentitlementsforprovidingtheseservicesshallapplytoeachoftheseservices,suchasnotifica-tionsandfrequencyreservations.

8 Satellite facilities and submarine cables

In addition to the requirements under question 7, do other rules apply

to the establishment and operation of satellite earth station facilities

and the landing of submarine cables?

Theconceptofasatelliteearthstationisencompassedbythedefi-nitionofradioequipmentoracombinationthereof.Thegeneralprovisionsregardingrequirementsfortelecomsequipmentapply.Amongotherthings,telecomsequipment,aswellascablesusedinorconnectedtotelecomsnetworks,mustensure:• thesafetyoftheuser,employeeandtelecomsnetworks;• compatibilitywithothertelecomsequipmentusedinorcon-nectedtotelecomsnetworks–inparticular,itmustnotdamageequipmentintelecomsnetworksorinterferewiththeiroperation;

• theefficientuseofradiofrequencyspectrumororbitalresources;and

• compliancewithelectromagneticcompatibilityrequirements.

Additionally,PolandhasratifiedtheInternationalConventiononSubmarineCablesProtectionof14March1884.

9 Universal service obligations and financing

Are there any universal service obligations? How is provision of these

services financed?

Withregardtouniversalservicesobligations,Polishlawisgener-allyharmonisedwiththecurrentEUtelecomslegislationandtheuniversal service is limited to voice services and is independent of the networktype(eg,next-generationnetwork).Theuniversalservicedoesnotcomprisevoiceoverinternetprotocol.Iftheprovisionofuniversalserviceisunprofitable,adesignated

operatorisentitledtoasubsidyintheamountofthenetcostfortheprovisionofservicescomprisinguniversalservice.Theaccountsandotherinformationusedasthebasisforthe

calculationofthenetcostofuniversalserviceprovisionshouldbeverifiedbyaqualifiedauditordesignatedbythepresidentoftheUKE.Thenetcostofuniversalserviceobligationsissharedbetweenprovidersofelectroniccommunicationsnetworksandserviceswhichannualrevenueexceeded4millionzlotys.Thepresidentof theUKEshalldetermineauniformrateof

percentagecontributionforall telecommunicationsundertakingsobligedtoparticipateinfinancingthesubsidy,butthecontributioncannotbehigherthan1percentofitsannualrevenue.TP SA (the Polish incumbent)was previously designated to

provideuniversalservice.However,atpresent(since9May2011),notelecommunicationscompaniesareobligedtoprovideuniversalservice.

10 Operator exclusivity and limits on licence numbers

Are there any services granted exclusively to one operator or for which

there are only a limited number of licences? If so, how long do such

entitlements last?

Noexclusivityappliesatpresent.LimitsregardinglicencenumbermayreferonlytoRFspectrum

licencesandnumberinglicencesandonlywhenthenumberofinter-estedoperators ishigherthanfrequencyornumberingresourcesrespectively.Insuchcase,alicenceisgrantedintender.

11 Structural or functional separation

Is there a legal basis for requiring structural or functional separation

between an operator’s network and service activities? Has structural

or functional separation been introduced or is it being contemplated?

ThereisnolegalbasisforstructuralseparationinthePolishjurisdic-tion.Foracertainperiodoftime,thepresidentoftheUKEwascarry-ingoutananalysisonwhetherPolishlawallowstheimpositionofanobligationoffunctionalseparation,butsinceTPSA(theincumbent)undertooktoperformvoluntarilyallimposedobligations,noofficialprocedurehasbeeninitiated.

12 Number portability

Is number portability across networks possible? If so, is it obligatory?

UnderPolishlaw,usershavearighttoretaintheirnumberswhenchanging operators:• inthecaseofgeographicnumbers,insidethegeographicregion;

and• inthecaseofnon-geographicnumbers,inthewholeofPoland.

Theaboveruledoesnotapplytoportingofnumbersbetweennet-worksprovidingservicesatafixedlocationandmobilenetworks.

13 Authorisation timescale

Are licences or other authorisations required? How long does the

licensing authority take to grant such licences or authorisations?

Thetelecommunicationsactivitythatconstitutesbusinessactiv-ityistreatedastheregulatedactivityandissubjecttoentryintheregisteroftelecommunicationsundertakings.Inprinciple, the entry to the registerof telecommunications

undertakingsmaybeobtainedonlybytelecommunicationsunder-takingshavingaregisteredofficeinPoland.However,fortemporaryprovisionoftelecommunicationsservices,theentrytotheregisteroftelecommunicationsundertakingsmayalsobeobtainedbytel-ecommunicationsundertakingshavingaregisteredofficeintheEUmemberstateorinthememberstatethatisapartytotheagreementwiththeEuropeanUnionanditsmemberstates,regulatingfreedomofservicesprovision.Itisrequiredtosubmitawrittennotificationtothepresidentof

theUKEinordertoobtaintheentrytotheregisteroftelecommuni-cationsundertakings.Inthecaseofanotification,thepresidentoftheUKEmayenter

theauthorisedentityintheregisterwithinsevendaysofthecloseofreceiptoftherequireddocuments.WherethepresidentoftheUKEfailstomakeanentryinthe

registerwithinsevendays,and14dayshavepassedfromthedayofthereceiptoftherequest,theentitymaycommencetheperformanceof telecommunications activities having notified the president of the UKEthereofinwriting.Adecisiononthegeneralexclusivefrequencylicenceshallbe

issuedbythepresidentoftheUKEwithinsixweeksfromthedaytherequestissubmitted.



Wheregrantingofageneralexclusivefrequencylicencerequiresatender,acontestorinternationalagreements,thepresidentoftheUKEshallissueadecisiononageneralexclusivefrequencylicencewithinsixweeksfromthedaytheresultsofatenderoracontesthavebeenannouncedorinternationalagreementsarecompleted.Anumberingassignment shallbemadenot later than three

weeksfromsubmittingarequest.

14 Licence duration

What is the normal duration of licences?

Thetelecomsactivitiesthatconstitutebusinessactivitiesaretheregu-latedactivitiesandaresubjecttoanentryinthetelecomsundertak-ingsregister.Registrationisforanindefiniteperiod.Ageneralexclusivefrequencylicenceshallbegrantedforaspeci-

fiedperiod,takingintoaccountthenatureoftheservicesprovidedbyanentityapplyingforageneralexclusivefrequencylicence.

15 Fees

What fees are payable for each type of authorisation?

Forcertaintelecomsauthorisationsthefollowingfeesarerequired:

Annual telecoms fee associated with performing tasks in the scope of telecomsTheamountofthisfeecannotexceed0.05percentofthetelecomsundertaking’sannualincomefromtelecomsactivitiesperformed,obtainedinthefinancialyeartwoyearsbeforetheyearforwhichthisfeeisdue.Thefeeshallbepaidbyatelecommunicationsunder-takingthathasobtainedrevenueshigherthan4millionzlotysfromperformingtelecommunicationsactivitiesinthefinancialyeartwoyearsbeforetheyearforwhichthisfeeisdue.

Annual fees for use of numbering resources under a numbering allocationTheamountofthesefeescannotbehigherthan:• forasubscribernumber,0.35zlotys;• foranABtelecomsnetworkindicationgrantedtoanentityper-formingtelecomsactivity,180,000zlotys;

• forapublicmobiletelephonenetworkindication,1.8millionzlotys;

• foranetworkaccessnumber,60,000zlotys;• fora118CDUnumber,60,000zlotys;• foratele-informaticnetworkaccessnumber,550zlotys;• foranareanumberforspecialsubscriberservicesforeachnum-beringplanareawherethisnumbercanbeused,1,600zlotys(thisfeeisnotchargedforemergencynumbersthatarefreeforthesubscriberstoconnectwith);

• foranationalintelligentnetworknumber,28zlotys;• foraDNICandPNICnumberinadatatransmissionnetworkwithpacketswitching,36,000zlotys;

• forasignalisationpointnumber,12,000zlotys;• foraclosedusergroupnumber(foreveryeightnumbers)55zlotys;

• foramobilenetworkcode,1,200zlotys;and• foranATMnetworkcode,1,200zlotys.

Annual fees for use of frequencies under a radio permit or the availability of the spectrum under a frequency reservationTheamountofthesefeescannotbehigherthanthefollowing:

Mobile land radio communications• foroneradiochannelinthetelecomsnetwork,24,000zlotys;

and• foroneduplexradiochannelinapublicmobiletelephonenet-workofcellularstructure,3millionzlotys.

Fixed land radio communications• inthefrequencybandbelow30MHz,forone4kHz-wideradiochannel,8,000zlotys;

• forpoint-to-pointsystems: • foroneradiochannelinoneradiorelayhop,400,000zlotys;

and • foroneradiochannelinmobileradiolines,inthecaseof

linesmeantforemergencyortemporarycommunications,100,000zlotys;andinremainingcases,300,000zlotys;

• forpoint-to-multipoint(PMP)systems,forafrequencyintheareaofeachcommune,forevery1MHzoftheusedfrequencyspectrum,250zlotys;

• forsubscriberradioaccesssystems: • forafrequencyinanRSLAline,200zlotys; • forafrequencyforeachDECTorCT2network,1,200zlo-

tys;and • forafrequencyforeachcommune,forothersubscriberradio

accesssystemsforeach1MHzoftheband,200zlotys;• forsystemsaccordingtolicencesreferredtoinarticle227(2)andaccordingtolicencesthatwillbeissuedbytheUKEsince31December2004:

• fortherighttouseafrequencybyeverybaseorrelaystationinPMP-typeradiolinesusedinfixednetworksofacellularstructure,foreach1MHzoftheusedfrequencyspectrum,800zlotys;and

• fortherighttouseafrequencybyeverybaseorrelaystationoperatingwithintheconfinesofasubscriberradioaccesswithaspreadspectrum,forevery1MHzoftheusedband,800zlotys.

Satellite radio communications• forafrequencyforeachfixedearthsatellitestationoperatingwithinafixedsatelliteservice,14,500zlotys;

• forafrequencyinafixedsatelliteserviceusedforsendingearth-to-satelliteradio-diffusionsignals,realisedwithasinglefixedearthsatellitestation,forevery10kHzoftheusedfrequencyspectrum,130zlotys;

• forafrequencyinasatelliteradiocommunicationsserviceinoneearthsatellitestationoperatinginaVSATnetwork;

• for the central station managing the terminal stations net-workandforaterminalstationperformingnetworkcontrolfunctions,forevery1kHzoftheusedfrequencyspectrum,130zlotys;and

• foranordinaryterminalstation,130zlotys;and• forafrequencyforonefixedearthsatellitestationusedbyabudgetunitforthesolepurposeoftraining,2,400zlotys.

Maritime and inland navigation radio communications and in air radio communications service• for one radio channel in air radio communications in the117,975MHzto137,000MHzfrequencybandforoneairportstationinearth-to-aircraftcommunications,1,000zlotys;

• foronefrequencyinradionavigationandradiolocationsystems,600zlotys;and

• forone30.3kHz-wideradiochannelforanearthstationoperat-ingwithintheconfinesofaterrestrialflighttelephonesystem,1,200zlotys.

For a frequency in maritime or inland navigation for each coastal station in coast-to-ship communications• foronebandoutsidethemaritimeVHFultra-highfrequencyband,6,000zlotys;

• foronechannelinmaritimeVHFultra-highfrequencyband,1,000zlotys;and



• foroneradiochannelinmaritimeandinlandnavigationradiocommunicationsintheVHFultra-highfrequencybandforeachmobilestationincoast-to-shipcommunicationsnotoperatingonthebasisofashiplicence,800zlotys.

Radio• foronefrequencyforoneradiostationintheVHFFMultra-highfrequencyband(87.5-108MHz),44,000zlotys;

• foronefrequencyforoneradiostationinthelowfrequencyband(30-300kHz),20,000zlotys;

• foronefrequencyforoneradiostationinthemediumfrequencyband(300-3,000kHz),4,000zlotys;

• foronefrequencyforoneradiostationinthehighfrequencyband(3-30MHz),8,000zlotys;and

• foronefrequencyforoneradiostationoperatingaccordingtotheT-DABterrestrialdigitalradiostandard,2,400zlotys.

Television• foroneTVchannelforoneanalogueTVstation,99,000zlotys;

and• foroneTVchannelforoneTVstationoperatingaccordingtotheDVB-TterrestrialdigitalTVstandard,4,800zlotys.

Aradiofrequencylicenceornumberinglicencemaybegrantedonthebasisofthetender.Ifalicenceisgrantedunderthetender,feesareofferedbythetender’sparticipants.Asarule,theofferedfeehasasignificantimpactontheresultsofthetender.

16 Modification and assignment of licence

How may licences be modified? Are licences assignable or able to be

pledged as security for financing purposes?

Telecommunicationsactivitiesaresubjecttoanentryinthetelecomsundertakings’register.Themodificationofanentryinthetelecomsundertakings’registerisbasedonthesamerulesasanoriginalentry.Ageneralfrequencylicenceshallspecify,interalia,thepossibil-

ityandconditionsforthetransferofrightstothefrequency,butthetransferofrightsismade(comesintoeffect)onthebasisofanadministrativedecisionissuedbythepresidentoftheUKE.Theentity that receivedanumberingassignmentshallmake

assignednumberingavailabletoentitiescooperatingwithitstel-ecommunicationsnetworkaswellasentitiesprovidingtelecommu-nicationsservices,attheirrequest.

17 Retail tariffs

Are national retail tariffs regulated? If so, which operators’ tariffs are

regulated and how?

Intheeventofanincreaseoftariffsfortelecomsservices,theopera-torisobligedtoinformitssubscribersinwriting,atleastonesettle-mentcycleinadvance,aboutsuchincreaseandthedatefromwhichitwillbecomeeffective.TPSA,asanSMPoperatoron,respectively,previousfirst,sec-

ond,third,fourth,fifth,sixthandseventhmarketsisobligedtosettariffsbasedoncosts.TPSAmustsubmittheirdrafttariffsorthemodificationsthereto

tothepresidentoftheUKE,accompaniedbyajustificationatleast30daysinadvanceoftheanticipatedentryintoforceofsuchtariffsormodifications.ThepresidentoftheOfficefortheProtectionofCompetition

andConsumers(presidentofUOKiK)performsregulatoryfunctionswithrespecttoretailtariffsundertheActof16February2007ontheProtectionofCompetitionandConsumersbothinthetelecomsandradioandtelevisionsectors.

18 Customer terms and conditions

Must customer terms and conditions be filed with, or approved by, the

regulator or other body? Are customer terms and conditions subject to

specific rules?

RetailpricesofferedbytheoperatordesignatedasanSMPoperatorinaretailmarketorobligedtoprovideuniversalservicearerequiredtobesubmittedtothepresidentoftheUKE.

Any operator intending to terminate the provision of a telecoms universalserviceisobligedtopromptlyinform,inwriting,itsnet-worksubscribersandthepresidentoftheUKEofitsintention,andgiveinformationaboutthemeasurestakentoensuretheuninter-ruptedprovisionofuniversalservice.Theoperatorhastherighttodesignateapublicoperatorthatwilltakeovertheprovisionofauniversalservice.Theproviderofpubliclyavailabletelecomsservicesshallsubmit

the telecoms services provision regulations to the president of the UKEupondemandandwithinthetimedefinedbyhimorher,anduponeverychangetotheregulations.

19 Next-Generation Access networks

How are NGA networks regulated?

There is no specific regulation pertaining to next-generationnetworks.

20 Changes to telecoms law

Are any major changes planned to the telecoms laws?

ThePolishTelecommunicationsLawissuedin2004hasbeengener-allyharmonisedwiththeEUdirectivesof2002.Despite EU rules that require adjusting the national law to

amendeddirectivesby25May2011,thereisstillnoofficialbillonamendingthePolishTelecommunicationsLaw.

Telecoms regulation – Mobile

21 Radio frequency (RF) requirements

For wireless services, are radio frequency (RF) licences required in

addition to telecoms services authorisations and are they available

on a competitive or non-competitive basis? How are RF licences

allocated? Do RF licences restrict the use of the licensed spectrum?

Forwirelessservices,apartfromageneralauthorisation,itisrequiredtoobtainaradiofrequencylicence(reservation).However,reserva-tion does not automatically give a right to actual use of the reserved frequencybecausetheuseofradioequipmentrequiresaseparateradiopermit.Frequency reservation defines the frequencies and orbital

resourcesthatwillbeavailabletothecompanyfortheperiodofthereservation.Frequencyreservationismadeforadefiniteperiodoftime.FrequencyreservationsaregrantedbythepresidentoftheUKE.

FrequencyreservationsforradioortelevisionprogrammesaremadebythepresidentoftheUKEinconsultationwiththeKRRiT.Duringtheperiodofthefrequencyreservation,issuanceofthe

radiopermitmaynotberefused.Wheretherearescarcefrequencyresources,thereservationof

frequencyisgrantedtoentitiesselectedbywayofacompetition–ifreservationismadefordisseminationofradioortelevisionpro-grammes–orofatenderinremainingcases.Thefrequencyreserva-tiontableispubliclyavailable.Anexclusivefrequencylicenceshallspecifythepossibilityand

conditionsofthetransferofrightstothefrequencyontheinitiativeofafrequencyholder.



22 Radio spectrum

Is there a regulatory framework for the assignment of unused radio

spectrum (refarming)? Do RF licences generally specify the permitted

use of the licensed spectrum or can RF licences for some spectrum

leave the permitted use unrestricted?

ThepresidentoftheUKE,bymeansofanadministrativedecision,maychangeorwithdrawfrequencylicencesincaseswherefrequen-ciessubjecttorightsarenotusedtoasignificantdegreeorareusedineffectively,orwhereuseofradioisdisturbingthefunctioningofotherequipmentortelecommunicationsnetworks.Thechangeofusageconditionsofthefrequencyallocatedto

spreadinganddistributingradioandtelevisionprogrammesismadebythepresidentoftheUKEinagreementwiththeKRRiT.RFlicencesmayspecifyinparticulartheconditionsfortheuse

offrequencies,requirementsconcerningthepreventionofharmfulelectromagneticdisturbancesandprotectivedutiesconcerningelec-tromagneticradiation,althoughthisisnotobligatory.

23 Spectrum trading

Is licensed RF spectrum tradable?

RFspectrumcanbetransferredonlyifthedecisiongrantingtheRFspectrumlicencedefinedsuchpossibility.AtransferofRFspectrumtoanothertelecommunicationscompanycanbemadeonlyonthebasisofthepresidentoftheUKE’sdecisionuponarequestsubmit-tedbythetelecommunicationscompanythatoriginallyobtainedtheRFspectrum.

24 Mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) and national roaming traffic

Are any mobile network operators expressly obliged to carry MVNO or

national roaming traffic?

ThewholesalemarketrelatingtoMVNOtrafficandnationalroam-ingtrafficisnotcurrentlyregulated.UndertheTelecommunicationsLaw,mobilenetworkoperators

mayentirelyfreelynegotiatewithMVNOsandundertakingsinter-estedinprovidingservicesinthenationalroamingmodel.Mobilenetworkoperatorsareentitledtorejectarequestforsuchtypeofaccess.

25 Mobile call termination

Does the originating calling party or the receiving party pay for the

charges to terminate a call on mobile networks? Is call termination

regulated, and, if so, how?

UnderPolishregulations,thecallingpartypaysforthechargestoterminateacallinmobilenetworks.The three largestPolishmobileoperators,PTKCentertelSp

z.o.o.(Orange),PolkomtelSA(Plus)andPTCSpz.o.o.(T-Mobile)aredesignatedasSMPoperatorsontheseventhmarket(previously,the16thmarket)andareobligedtosetmobileterminationratesbasedoncostsincurred.ThepresidentoftheUKEapprovedmobileterminationsratesin

theformofadministrativedecisionsproposedbytheseoperators,iefrom1July2011forthisoperatoratthelevelof0.1520zlotysperminuteandfrom1July2012atthelevelof0.1223zlotysperminute.TheabovelevelofmobileterminationsrateswasacceptedbecauseOrange,PolkomtelandT-Mobileagreedtoinvestsubstantiallyinwhiteareas(ie,inareaswheremobileaccessislimited).There are four othermobile operators, P4 Sp z.o.o. (Play),

CyfrowyPolsatSA,CenterNetSAandMobylandSpz.o.o.whicharedesignatedasSMPoperatorsontheseventhmarket.ThepresidentoftheUKEimposedanobligationnottochargeexcessivepricesonPlay,CenterNetSAandMobylandSpz.o.o.only.Mobiletermina-tionratesusedbyPlay,CenterNetSAandMobylandSpz.o.o.are

determinedintheadministrativedecisionissuedbythepresidentoftheUKEandtheiramountissignificantlyhigherthanmobiletermi-nationratesusedbyOrange,PlusandT-Mobile.Itresultsinnon-symmetryinsettlementsamongmobileoperators.Accordingtothepresentbindingadministrativedecisions,thisnon-symmetryshouldbeeliminatedrespectivelyby30June2013and31December2013,dependingonwhichoperator’snetworkcallsareterminated.

Non-symmetric rates are also used in the cooperation among Polkomtel,T-Mobile,OrangeandAero2Spz.o.o.TheserateswereintroducedbymeansofdecisionsissuedbythepresidentoftheUKE.Sofar,Aero2Spz.o.o.hasnotbeendesignatedasanSMPoperatorintheseventhmarket.Thepresident of theUKEunofficially announced that non-

symmetricratesmaynotbeusedforlongerthanfouryearsfromthenewundertaking’sentryintothemarket.Moreover,thepresidentoftheUKEhasinformedthathigherratesmaybeusedonlybyunder-takingsdevelopingtheirownaccessinfrastructure.Consequently,thepresidentoftheUKEissuedanewdecisionupholdingtheSMPstatusforCyfrowyPolsatSAandamendingthepricecontrolobligationimposedonthisentity.Atpresent,CyfrowyPolsatisobligedtousecallterminatonratesequaltothoseusedbyPolkomtel,T-MobileandOrange.

26 International mobile roaming

Are wholesale and retail charges for international mobile roaming

regulated?

Therearenospecificregulationsinthisrespect.WholesaleandretailtariffsareconsistentwithRegulation (EC)No.717/2007of theEuropeanParliamentandoftheCouncilof27June2007onroam-ingonpublicmobiletelephonenetworkswithintheCommunityandamendingDirective2002/21/EC.

27 Next-generation mobile services

Is there any regulation for the roll-out of 3G, 3.5G or 4G mobile

service?

Therearenospecificregulationsinthisregard.

Telecoms regulation – fixed infrastructure

28 Cable networks

Is ownership of cable networks, in particular by telecoms operators,

restricted?

Theoperationofpublicnetworksintendedforthebroadcastingofradioortelevisionprogrammesshallbesubjecttoanentryinthereg-isterkeptbythepresidentoftheUKE.Moreover,undertheTelecom-municationsLaw,apublictelecomsnetworkoperatorisobligedtoenableotheroperatorsofpublicnetworksaccesstoitsinfrastructure(interalia,cablenetworks)fortheestablishmentandoperationoftel-ecommunicationsequipmentifcreationofalternativeinfrastructureisnotpossibleorduplicationofexistinginfrastructurehasnomerit.TheprovisionsoftheActontheAcquisitionofRealPropertyby

Foreignersmayalsoapplyinthisregard.Generally,theacquisitionofrealpropertybyaforeignentityorpersonrequiresapermitissuedbytheministercompetentforinternalaffairs.InvestorsfromtheEuropeanEconomicAreaandSwissConfederationare,inprinciple,exemptfromsucharequirement.Inaddition,cableoperatorsthathaveforeignshareholdersmaybegrantedabroadcastinglicenceifforeignersdonotholdmorethan49percentofthestockofthecompany and the agreement or the statutes of the company should specifythefollowing:• thatPolishcitizensresidentinPolandconstituteamajorityontheboardofdirectorsandthemanagementboardofaparticularcompany;



• thatforeignlegalentitiesorpersonscontrolledbyforeignlegalentitieshavenomorethan49percentofthevotesinthegeneralmeetingofshareholders;and

• thatPolishcitizensresidentinPolandconstituteamajorityofthesupervisoryboardoftheparticularcompany.

29 Local loop

Is there any specific rule regarding access to the local loop or local

loop unbundling? What type of local loop is covered?

AnSMPoperatorisobligedtoensureaccesstoalocalloop,togetherwithcollocation,accesstocableconnectionsandrelevantITsystems,ontransparent,fairandnon-discriminatoryterms,uponrequestofanotheroperator.Atpresent,theTelecommunicationsLawdefinesindetailobliga-

tionsrelatedtoensuringaccesstoalocalloop,thetermsandcon-ditionsonwhichsuchaccessshouldbeensured,consequencesofarefusaltograntsuchaccessandtheenforcementpowersofthepresidentoftheUKEinthisrespect.Localloopunbundling,however,isregulatedwithintheordinanceoftheministerofinfrastructureof21July2008,whichdefinesthescopeofaframeworkofferrelatedtotelecommunicationsaccesstobeadoptedbytheoperatorhavingsignificantmarketpower.ThepresidentoftheUKEintroducedanewreferenceofferon

localloopunbundlingtobeappliedbyTPSA,effective29September2011.Atpresent,accesstocopper-cableandfibre-opticcableloopsisregulated.

30 Interconnection and access

How is interconnection regulated? Can the regulator intervene to

resolve disputes between operators? Are wholesale (interconnect)

prices controlled and, if so, how? Are wholesale access services

regulated, and, if so, how?

UndertheTelecommunicationsLaw,interconnectionisatypeoftelecomsaccess.Telecomsaccess isdefinedasauseof telecomsfacilities,associatefacilitiesorservicesprovidedbyothertelecomsundertakings,underdefinedconditions,forthepurposeofprovidingtelecomsservices.Thisincludes,interalia,theconnectionoftelecomsequipment,inparticularaccesstothelocalloopandtofacilitiesandservicesnecessarytoprovideservicesoverthelocalloop,andaccesstotelecomsnetworks,inparticularforroaming.ThepresidentoftheUKEisentitledtoresolvedisputesbetween

operators.ThepresidentoftheUKEmay:• definethetimelimits(nolongerthan90days)forconcludingthenegotiationsofatelecomsaccessagreement,uponrequestofeachpartytothenegotiationsofsuchagreementorexofficio;

• issue adecisionon the telecommunications accessupon therequestofatleastoneparty,incaseswhereoneofthepartiesrefuses to conclude the agreement or if the telecoms access agree-mentisnotconcludedontheduedate;

• issueadecisiononthetelecommunicationsaccessamendingexofficio the content of the telecommunications access agreement orobligethepartiestotheagreementtoamenditincasesjusti-fiedbytheneedtoprotecttheinterestsofend-usersandtheeffectivecompetitivenessorinteroperabilityoftheservices;and

• maychangehisorherpriordecisionontelecomsaccess,upontherequestofeachpartyorexofficio.

TPSA,asanSMPoperatorinthepreviouseighth(calloriginationonthepublictelephonenetworkprovidedatafixedlocation),ninth(callterminationonindividualpublictelephonenetworksprovidedatafixedlocation)and12th(wholesalebroadbandaccess)marketsandinthenewfourth(wholesale(physical)networkinfrastructureaccess(includingsharedorfullyunbundledaccess)atafixedloca-tion)market,isobligedto:

• acceptjustifiedrequestsfortelecommunicationsaccess;• follownon-discriminationobligations;• runregulatoryaccounting;• useratesbasedoncosts;• submittothepresidentoftheUKEadetailedjustificationoftheamountofratesbasedoncosts;and

• usereferenceofferswhichareacceptedbythepresidentoftheUKEbymeansofadministrativedecisions.

AccordingtotheTPSAreferenceoffer,themainratesforcallster-minationareasfollows:• from0.0137to0.0273zlotysperminuteinnumberingzonedependingonthetimeacallisterminated;

• from0.0162to0.0325zlotysperminuteinnumberingzonedependingonthetimeacallisterminated;and

• from0.0239to0.0478zlotysperminuteinnumberingzonedependingonthetimeacallisterminated.

Telecoms regulation – internet services

31 Internet services

How are internet services, including voice over the internet,

regulated?

AccordingtotheTelecommunicationsAct,internetaccessservicesconstitutetelecomsservices.Thismeansthatserviceprovidersmustmakeanentryinthetelecomsundertakings’registerkeptbythepresidentoftheUKE.TherearepresentlynoregulationsonIPtel-ephonenetworksorVoIP.

32 Internet service provision

Are there limits on an internet service provider’s freedom to control

or prioritise the type or source of data that it delivers? Are there any

other specific regulations or guidelines on net neutrality?

Atpresent,therearenospecificrulesexpresslyrestrictinginternetserviceproviderstocontroldeliveringdata.However,thelegalityofsuchactivityisdoubtfulunderlegalactsconcerningcompetitionandconsumerprotection.Furthermore,anydatacontrolorprioritisationwouldrepealthegeneralrulethatinternetserviceproviders,likeothertelecommunicationsproviders,donottakeresponsibilityforthecontentofthedata.

33 Financing of basic broadband and NGA networks

Is there a government financial scheme to promote basic broadband

or NGA broadband penetration?

Theexpensesrelatedtonetworkconnectionservicesprovidedinordertoensurebroadbandinternetaccessservicetoentitledentitiesarefinancedfromthenationalbudget.

Assets are transferred:• inrelationtopublicschoolsandinstitutionsandlibraries,tolocalgovernmententitiesasaspecific-purposesubsidy;

• inrelationtopublicschoolsandinstitutionsandlibrariesrunbyministers,byincreasingtheexpenseprojectionsinthebudgetsoftheministries;and

• inrelationtouniversities,byincreasingtheexpenseprojectionsoftheministerssupervisinguniversities.

TheLawonPromotingtheDevelopmentofTelecommunicationsNetworksandServicesenteredintoforceon17July2011.ThenewLawentitleslocalauthoritiestoinvestorparticipateininvestmentsinconstructingnewtelecommunications infrastructureespeciallyrequiredtoprovidebroadbandservices.ThemainobjectiveofthenewLawisfacilitatingtheuseofEUfundsprovidedforconstruct-ingtheinfrastructureinareaswherebroadbandavailabilityislow.



InPoland,therearenoseparaterulesusedfordevelopingNGAnetworks.

Media regulation

34 Ownership restrictions

Is the ownership or control of broadcasters restricted? May foreign

investors participate in broadcasting activities in your jurisdiction?

TheBroadcastingActprovidesforrestrictionswithrespecttogrant-ingbroadcastinglicencestotransmitradioandtelevisionprogrammeservicestoforeignentities.AbroadcastinglicencemaybegrantedtoaPolishcompanywithaparticipationofforeignentitiesinterestonly if:• theequityofforeignpartiesortheforeigninterestinthesharecapitalofacompanydoesnotexceed49percent;and

• thearticlesofassociationorthecompany’smemorandumstipu-late that:

• themajorityofthepersonsauthorisedtorepresentthecom-panyorconductthecompany’sactivitiesorthemembersofthemanagementboardofthecompanyarePolishcitizenspermanentlyresidinginPoland;

• theshareofvotesofforeignentitiesandsubsidiariesoffor-eignentitiesintheshareholders’meetingorinthegeneralshareholders’meetingmaynotexceed49percent;

• foreignentitiesmaynothavedirectlyorindirectlyamajor-ityofvotesexceeding49percentinthenon-commercialpartnership;and

• personsofPolishnationalitywhopermanently reside inPolandconstituteamajorityofmembersofthesupervisoryboardofthecompany.

Purchaseoracquisitionbyaforeignpersonofsharesorinterest,ortheacquisitionofrightsinsharesorinterestinacompanyholdingabroadcastinglicencetotransmitaprogrammeservice,requirestheconsentofthepresidentoftheKRRiT.Theabovelimitationsdonotapplytoaforeignentityorcom-

panycontrolledbyaforeignentitywhentheirseatorplaceofresi-denceislocatedinamemberstateoftheEuropeanEconomicArea.

35 Cross-ownership

Are there any regulations in relation to the cross-ownership of media

companies, including radio, television and newspapers? Is there any

suggestion of change to regulation of such cross-ownership given the

emergence of ‘new media’ platforms?

The government planned to introduce a provision into the Broadcast-ingActforbiddingcross-ownershipofanationwidejournal(daily)andatelevisionstation;however,thatconcepthasbeenabandoned.

36 Licensing requirements

What are the licensing requirements for broadcasting, including the

fees payable and the timescale for the necessary authorisations?

Abroadcastinglicenceisgenerallyrequiredtotransmitradioandtelevisionprogrammes,butnot forprogrammes inpublic radioandtelevision.Also,thelicenceisnotrequiredfortransmittingtel-evision programmes only in data transmission systems unless such programmesare transmittedterrestrially,viasatelliteor incablenetworks.Inbroadcastinglicenceproceedings,thefollowingaspectsare

assessed,interalia:• theapplicant’sabilitytomakethenecessaryinvestmentsandtoensurethefinancingoftheprogrammeservice;

• theestimatedshareofprogrammesproducedorcommissionedbythebroadcasterorproducedbythebroadcasterjointlywithotherbroadcasters;

• theestimatedshareof localbroadcasts inthetelevisionpro-grammeserviceorlocalworksintheradioortelevisionpro-gramme;and

• pastcompliancewithregulationsgoverningradiocommunica-tionsandthemassmedia.

DetailedprovisionsaresetoutintheordinanceoftheKRRiTcon-cerning the contents of the application and the detailed procedure of grantingandcancellingabroadcastinglicencefortransmissionofradioortelevisionprogrammes.Theordinanceof theKRRiTconcerning fees forgrantinga

broadcastinglicencetotransmitradioandtelevisionprogrammesstipulatesfeesforthebroadcastinglicenceaswellasforanychangesthereto.Abroadcastinglicenceisgrantedfor10years.Withregardto

thetimelimitswithinwhichtheKRRiTissupposedtoissueabroad-castinglicence,thegeneralprovisionsoftheCodeofAdministrativeProcedureapply.

37 Foreign programmes and local content requirements

Are there any regulations concerning the broadcasting of foreign-produced programmes? Do the rules require a minimum amount of local content? What types of media (eg, online, mobile content) are outside of this regime?

Broadcastersoftelevisionprogrammesareunderanobligationtoreserveat leasthalfoftheirquarterlytransmissiontimeforpro-grammes(excludingnews,advertising,teleshopping,sportsevents,teletextservicesandgames)forprogrammesproducedbyEuropeanproducers.Likewise,theBroadcastingActimposesobligationsonbroad-

casters of radio and television programmes regarding transmission ofPolishprogrammes(localcontent).Broadcastersoftelevisionpro-grammesareunderanobligationtoearmarkatleast33percentoftheirquarterlytransmissiontimeforprogrammes(excludingnews,advertising,teleshopping,sportsevents,teletextservicesandgames)toprogrammesoriginallyproducedinPolish.In turn, broadcasters of radio programmes, excluding pro-

grammescreatedwhollyinanationalorethnicminoritylanguage,shouldearmarkatleast33percentoftheirquarterlytransmissiontime devoted to vocal musical compositions for compositions per-formedinPolish,withinwhichatleast60percentmustbebetween5amandmidnight.Furthermore, televisionbroadcastersshallreserveat least10

percentoftheirquarterlytransmissiontimeforEuropeanworksproducedbyindependentproducers,excludingnews,advertising,teleshopping,sportsevents,teletextservicesandgames.Programmesproducednolaterthanfiveyearsbeforetheirtransmissionintheprogrammeserviceshallconstituteatleast50percentofthetimereservedforEuropeanworksproducedbyindependentproducers.Theabovelimitationsapplyonlytobroadcastingofradioand

televisionprogrammes.

38 Advertising

How is broadcast media advertising regulated? Is online advertising subject to the same regulation?

InthePolishlegalsystem,advertising-relatedissuesareregulatedinseveralactsoflaw.OneofthemostimportantregulationsistheBroadcastingAct,whichregulatestheprimaryprinciplesofadver-tisingtransmission.TheLawonthePreventionofUnfairCompeti-tionstipulatescivilliabilityforactsofunfaircompetitionconcerningunfairandforbiddenadvertising.Furthermore,criticalregulationsarealsocontainedintheTobaccoControlandHealthProtectionActandintheEducationinSobrietyandSuppressionofAlcoholismAct.ThePressLawActprohibitsjournalistsfromcarryingoutcrypto-advertising.Onlineadvertisingissubjecttothesameregulation.



39 Must-carry obligations

Are there regulations specifying a basic package of programmes that must be carried by operators’ broadcasting distribution networks, (ie, ‘must-carry obligations’)? Is there a mechanism for financing the costs of such obligations?

On10August2011,anewlegalmust-carryregime,asapartoftheanalogueswitch-offstrategy,wasintroducedthroughtheBroadcast-ingAct.Underthenewregime,abroadcastingoperatorisobligedtobroadcastsevenprogrammeslistedintheBroadcastingAct(ie,threepublicprogrammes,includingTVP1,TVP2andaregionalpro-grammeofTelewizjaPolskaSA,andfourcommercialprogrammes,includingTelewizjaPolsat SA,TVNSA,PolskieMedia SAandTelewizjaPulsSpz.o.o).Theaboveruleapplies toalloperatorsregardlessofthetechnicalmodeofdistribution(withtheexceptionofbroadcastingbydigitalterrestrialtelevisionplatformoperators).Thebroadcasterscannotrefusetogivetheirconsenttobroadcast-ingoftheabove-mentionedprogrammes.Also,theycannotdemandfinancialconsiderationforgrantingsuchconsent.Inaddition,broadcastersareobligedtomaketheabovepro-

grammesavailablefreeofchargeonrequestoftheoperator,within14daysfromthedatesuchamotionisreceived(must-offerobliga-tion).Theoperatorisobligedtobroadcasttheaboveprogrammesandtoinformviewersthattheseprogrammesareavailablefree-to-airandfreeofchargeindigitalformviaterrestrialdiffusion.

40 Changes to the broadcasting laws

Are there any changes planned to the broadcasting laws? In particular, do the regulations relating to traditional broadcast activities also apply to broadcasting to mobile devices or are there specific rules for those services?

On25May2011amendmentstotheBroadcastingActimplementingthepartoftheprovisionsoftheEUAudiovisualDirectiveenteredintoforce.Themainchangesrelatetoproductplacementandthebroadcastingoftelevisionprogrammesviatheinternetonly.PolandisstillobligedtointroducetheprovisionsoftheEUAudiovisualDirective in relation to on-demand audio-visual media services throughtheBroadcastingAct.Therearenospecificrulesrelatedtobroadcastingtomobile

devices.

41 Regulation of new media content

Is new media content and its delivery regulated differently from traditional broadcast media? How?

InthePolishlegalsystem,newmediacontentanditsdeliveryareregulatedinseveralactsoflaw:theLawonElectronicMeansofOfferingServices,thePressLaw,theBroadcastingActandtheTel-ecommunicationsLaw.Ingeneral,theLawonElectronicMeansofOfferingServicesexcludesliabilityofprovidersofferingservicesbyelectronicmeansforkeptdata(hosting).

42 Digital switchover

When is the switchover from analogue to digital broadcasting required or when did it occur? How will radio frequencies freed up by the switchover be reallocated?

On30June2011, thePolishparliamentenacted theActon theIntroductionofTerrestrialDigitalTelevision.MostofitsprovisionsenteredintoforceinAugust2011.UnderthisAct,31December2013isthefinaldatefortheterminationofanaloguebroadcastingofterrestrialtelevisioninthewholeterritoryofPoland.AccordingtothedraftplanforintroducingdigitaltelevisioninPolandacceptedon4June2010bytheMinisters’Council,radiofrequenciesthatarefreedupfromtheswitchoverwillbedesignatedtodigitaltelevision(DVB-T),mobiletelevision(DVB-H)andmobileservices.

43 Digital formats

Does regulation restrict how broadcasters can use their spectrum

(multichannelling, high definition, data services)?

AccordingtotheTelecommunicationsAct,thepresidentoftheUKEmayspecifyinafrequencylicencetheconditionsfortheuseoffre-quencies.Inaddition,theregulatorshouldspecifytheconditionsfortheuseoffrequenciesintheradiopermit.

Regulatory agencies

44 Regulatory agencies

Which body or bodies regulate the communications sector? Is the

telecoms regulator separate from the broadcasting regulator?

The minister of administration and digitalisation plays a supervisory andlegislativeroleinthetelecomsservicesmarket.Executive,moni-toringandcontrolfunctionsbelongtotheregulator,thepresidentoftheUKE.TheKRRiTistheregulatoryandlegislativeauthority(issuingordinances)inthebroadcastingsector.ThetelecomssectorandbroadcastingsectorarealsosubjecttootherprovisionssuchastheCompetitionLawandPersonalDataProtectionLaw,eachwithitsownregulator:thepresidentoftheOfficeforProtectionofCompetitionandConsumers(UOKiK)andtheGeneralInspectorforPersonalDataProtection(GIODO).

45 Establishment of regulatory agencies

How is each regulator established and to what extent is it independent

of network operators, service providers and government?

ThepresidentoftheUKEisappointedbytheSeym(lowerhouseofthePolishparliament)withtheSenate’s(upperhouseofthePolishparliament)consentattherequestoftheprimeminister.ThetermofofficeoftheUKE’spresidentisfiveyears.ThepresidentoftheUKEmayberemovedonlyinexceptionalcasesthatarestrictlystipulatedintheAct.Underthelaw,thepresidentoftheUKEisorganisationallyand

financiallyindependentfromgovernmentalauthorities,namelytheministerofadministrationanddigitalisation.TheexpensesoftheUKEarefinancedbythestatebudgetin

anamountfixedeachyearintheAnnualBudgetActadoptedbyparliament.MembersoftheKRRiTareappointedbytheSeym(twomem-

bers),theSenate(onemember)andthepresidentofPoland(twomembers).ThetermofofficeofmembersoftheKRRiTissixyearsfromthedatethelastmemberisappointed.MembersoftheKRRiTmayberemovedonlyinexceptionalcasesthatarestrictlystipulatedintheAct.ThecostsofactivityoftheKRRiTarecoveredfromthestatebudget.TheKRRiTisorganisationallyandfinanciallyinde-pendentfromgovernmentalauthorities.

46 Appeal procedure

How can decisions of the regulators be challenged and on what

bases?

WithregardtodecisionsissuedbythepresidentoftheUKE,adis-satisfiedpartymayapplytotheauthorityforre-examinationofthematter.DecisionsissuedbythepresidentoftheUKEmaybeappealedagainsttotheVoivodshipAdministrativeCourt.Finally,acomplaintmaybefiledwiththeSupremeAdministra-

tiveCourtwithin30daysofthedecision,orfromthedayonwhichthecomplainingpartybecomesawareorcouldhavebecomeawareofthedecision.Thecourtmayissueanorderofstayofenforcementofthefinaldecision,particularlywhenthereisathreatofcausingsignificantdamagetothecomplainantorcausingconsequencesthataredifficulttoreverse.



Withcertainexceptions,apartymayappealagainstdecisionsconcerningthedeterminationofsignificantmarketpower,theimpo-sition,abolishmentorchangeofregulationobligations,theimpo-sition of penalties or decisions approving proposals for detailed regulatoryconditions,decisionsorderingtoremoveirregularitiesandagainstdecisionsissuedincontentiouscases.AppealsareheardbytheRegionalCourtinWarsaw–theCourtforCompetitionandConsumerProtection.ThefollowingdecisionsofthepresidentoftheKRRiTmaybe

appealedtotheRegionalCourtinWarsaw(commercialcourt):• adecisionorderingthemediaprovidertostopactivityondeliv-

ering media services should they infringe the provisions of the Act,resolutionsoftheKRRiTortermsandconditionsofthebroadcastinglicence;

• adecisionimposingafineonamediaproviderincasesofthebreachingofitsobligationsundertheBroadcastingAct;

• adecisionimposingafineonamediaproviderthatfailstoimple-mentthedecisionreferredtointhefirstpointabove;

• adecision imposinga fineonapersonmanaging themediaprovider’sactivityforfailuretogiveinformationorforgivingunreliableinformationtotheextentrequiredforthecontrolandcomplianceofthemediaprovider’sactivitywiththeprovisionsoftheAct,termsandconditionsofthebroadcastinglicenceorself-regulatedprovisionbindingtheprovider;

• adecisionimposingafineonapersonmanagingthemediapro-vider’sactivityfornon-performanceofdecisionsorderingthatprovider to stop activity on delivering media services should they infringetheprovisionsoftheAct,resolutionsoftheKRRiTortermsandconditionsofthebroadcastinglicence;

• adecisionimposingafineonamediaproviderthatbroadcastsatelevisionprogrammeinthedatatransmissionsystem;

• adecisionimposingafineonamediaproviderthatinfringesmust-carryandmust-offerobligations.

DecisionsofthepresidentoftheKRRiTongrantingthebroadcast-ing licence for retransmission of radio and television programmes servicesarefinalwithintheframeworkoftheadministrativeproce-dure.TheymaybeappealedtotheVoivodshipAdministrativeCourt,basedonviolationoflaw.

Data retention, interception and use

47 Interception and data protection

Do any special rules require operators to assist government in certain conditions to intercept telecommunications messages? Explain the interaction between interception and data protection and privacy laws.

Generally,datasuchas informationtransmitted intelecomsnet-works,userdata,informationaboutthefacts,circumstancesandthenatureofthecalls,attemptsataccessingparticularnetworktermina-tionpoints,aswellastheidentificationortracingofthenetworkterminationpointsbetweenwhichthecallshavebeenmade,areprotectedbytelecomssecrecy.Thedisclosureofsuchdataispermit-tedonlyincasesspecifiedbylaw.Inparticular,forthesakeofstatedefence,statesecurityandpublicsecurityandorder,operatorshavetoensuretheauthorisedstatutoryagenciesandbodies,courtandprosecutorhaveaccesstotelecommunicationsmessages.Moreover,publicoperatorsmustcooperatewithstatutoryrescueservicesandwiththearmedforcesinemergencies.AccordingtotheInternalSecurityAgencyandForeignIntelli-

genceAgencyActof24May2002,theInternalSecurityAgencycouldobtainaccesstotheabovedataifthisisnecessarytocarryoutitstasksdefinedinthelaw.AccordingtothePoliceActof6April1990,theabovedatamay

bedisclosedtothepoliceandprocessedbythepoliceonlyinordertopreventordetectcriminalacts.Theentityprovidingtelecommu-nicationsactivitymakestelecommunicationsdataavailablefreeofchargetothepoliceofficerpointedoutinthewrittenrequestofthe

chiefcommanderofpoliceorVoivodshipcommanderofpolice,attheverbaldemandofapoliceofficerdulyauthorisedinwritingbytheabovepersonsorbymeansoftelecommunicationsnetworktothepoliceofficerauthorisedinwritingbytheabovepersons.How-ever,allmaterialsotherthanthematerialspertinenttothecriminalproceedingsmustbepromptlydestroyedinthepresenceofadulyconstitutedcommissionandconfirmedbyareport.TheInternalSecurityAgencycouldalsorecordtelecomsmes-

sages(includingphonecalls)afterobtainingthecourt’sconsent.OnlytheTelecommunicationsLawandotherregulationsthat

relatetotheTelecommunicationsLaw(forexample:thePoliceAct)applytotheinterceptionoftelecommunicationsmessages.However,dataprotectionandprivacylawsmayapplyifthescopeoftheinter-ceptionexceedstelecommunicationsregulation.

48 Data retention and disclosure obligations

What are the obligations for operators and service providers to retain

customer data? What are the corresponding disclosure obligations?

Will they be compensated for their efforts?

Theoperatorofapublictelecommunicationsnetworkorthepro-viderofpubliclyavailabletelecommunicationsservicesisobligedtoretainandstorecustomerdatafor24monthsfromthedayofcallorfromthedaytheunsuccessfulattempttocalltakesplace.Afterthistime,theoperatorortheservicesprovidershoulddeletethisdata,exceptforthosedatathataresecuredinaccordancewithseparateregulations.Thisobligationrestswiththeoperatororservicespro-videralsointheeventwhenthisentityceasestocarryoutitsactivity.Thelawdoesnotprovideforanycompensationforfulfilmentofsuchobligation.Theoperatorisobligedtodiscloseretaineddataattherequest

ofauthorisedorganisationalunits(forexamplethecourts,prosecu-torsandpolice).

49 Unsolicited communications

Does regulation prohibit unsolicited communications (eg, by e-mail,

SMS)? Are there exceptions to the prohibition?

Accordingtoconsumerlaw,usinganymeans–suchasatelephone,videophone,fax,e-mailorautomaticcallingdevice–tosendsuchcommunicationsmay only occurwith the prior consent of thereceiver.Thelawprovidesnoexceptionstothisprinciple.Accordingtothelawconcerningelectronicmeansofofferingservices,itisfor-biddentosendunsolicitedtradeinformationdirectedtoaspecifiedrecipientbyanelectroniccommunicationandespeciallyviae-mail.A trade information message is regarded as a solicited one if the recipientgavehisorherconsenttoreceivingit,particularlyifheorshetransmittedhisorhere-mailaddressforthispurpose.

Competition and merger control

50 Competition and telecoms and broadcasting regulation

What is the scope of the general competition authority and the

sectoral regulators in the telecoms, broadcasting and new media

sectors? Are there mechanisms to avoid conflicting jurisdiction? Is

there a specific mechanism to ensure the consistent application of

competition and sectoral regulation? Are there special rules for this

sector and how do competition regulators handle the interaction of old

and new media?

Theauthoritieswithjurisdictioninthetelecomssectorarethepresi-dentoftheUKEandthepresidentofUOKiK.AlthoughUOKiKhasbroaderresponsibilitythantheUKEwithregardtocompetitioninthetelecomsmarket,theresponsibilitiesofthetwoauthoritiesoftenoverlap.ThescopeofactivityofthepresidentoftheUKEincludescoop-

erationwiththepresidentofUOKiKonissuesconcerningtherights



ofentitiesusingpostalandtelecomsservices,thecounteractingofcompetition-limitingpractices(restrictionsofcompetition)andanti-competitiveconcentrationsofpostaloperators,telecomsundertak-ingsandtheirassociations.ThescopeofactivityofthepresidentofUOKiKandtheCompe-

titionCourtiscoveredinquestions51to54.ActingincoordinationwiththepresidentofUOKiK,thepresi-

dentoftheUKEwilldecidethatapublicoperatorisanSMPopera-torwithregardtotheprovisionofaparticularservice.

The president of the council of ministers settles competence dis-putesbetweenthepresidentoftheUKEandthepresidentofUOKiK.EventhoughtherearecertaindiscrepanciesinthejurisdictionoftheSupremeCourtconcerningdoubtsoverwhichauthoritycanissueadecision,thestandpointthatapplicationofantimonopolyregula-tionsisnotexcludedincasesconcerningaccesstoatelecommunica-tionsnetworkisprevailing.Pursuanttoarticle156oftheCodeofAdministrativeProcedure,

non-observanceofprovisionsonjurisdictionconstitutesgroundsfordemandingthedecisiontobedeclaredinvalid.Proceedingsfordeclaringadecisioninvalidareinstitutedattherequestofapartyorexofficio.Inthebroadcastingsector,themainregulatoryauthority,asfar

asprotectionofcompetitionisconcerned,isthepresidentofUOKiK.However,thepresidentoftheKRRiTisvestedwitharighttowith-drawabroadcastinglicenceiftheapplicantgainsadominantposi-tioninthemassmediaofagiventerritory.Inthenewmediasector,themainregulatoryauthority,asfaras

protectionofcompetitionisconcerned,isthepresidentofUOKiK.

51 Competition law in the telecoms and broadcasting sectors

Are anti-competitive practices in these sectors controlled by regulation

or general competition law? Which regulator controls these practices?

TheCompetitionLawregulatesprohibitedpracticesinthetelecomssectoraswellasinthebroadcastingsector,suchasthosedistortingcompetition,abuseofdominantpositionaswellasconcentrationcontrol(includingmergercontrol).ThepresidentofUOKiKistheauthoritycompetenttocombatanti-competitivepractices.TotheextentstipulatedintheTelecommunicationsLaw,the

presidentoftheUKEalsohasresponsibilityinthisarea.

52 Jurisdictional thresholds for review

What are the jurisdictional thresholds and substantive tests for

regulatory or competition law review of telecoms sector mergers,

acquisitions and joint ventures? Do these differ for transactions in the

broadcasting and new media sector?

InaccordancewiththeCompetitionLaw,entrepreneursmustsubmitnotificationoftheirconcentrationswhenacombinedglobalturnoveroftheentrepreneursinvolvedintheconcentrationshouldexceed,inthefinancialyearprecedingtheyearofnotification,anequivalentof e1,000million,oracombinedturnoverontheterritoryoftheRepublicofPolandoftheentrepreneursinvolvedintheconcentra-tionshouldexceed,inthefinancialyearprecedingtheyearofnotifi-cation,anequivalentofe50million.

The duty to notify concentration shall apply to any intent to: • mergetwoormoreindependententrepreneurs;• havedirector indirectcontrolofoneormoreentrepreneurstakenover–whetherbyacquisitionorbytakingupshares,othersecurities,interestsorotherwise–byoneormoreentrepreneurs;

• haveajointentrepreneurcreatedbyentrepreneurs;or• acquisitionbyanentrepreneurofapartofassetsofanotherentrepreneur (the entiretyorpartofanenterprise),whereaturnovergeneratedbytheseassetsineitherofthetwofinancialyearsprecedingthenotificationexceededontheterritoryoftheRepublicofPolandanequivalentofe10million.Aconcentrationintentshallnotbesubjecttonotificationwhere:

• theturnoveroftheentrepreneurbeingacquiredcontrolofdidnotexceedanequivalentof e10millionontheterritoryoftheRepublicofPolandineitherofthetwofinancialyearsprecedingthenotification;

• theconcentrationconsistsinatemporaryacquisitionortakingupofsharesbyafinancialinstitutionforthepurposeoftheirresale,wheretheeconomicactivitycarriedonbythesaidinstitu-tioncoversinvestinginotherentrepreneurs’sharesforitsownorforothers’account,providedtheresaleiseffectedbeforetheelapseofoneyearfromthedateofacquisitionortakingupandprovided that:

• thesaidinstitutiondoesnotexerciserightsinthesharesotherthantherighttodividend;or

• itexercisesthesaidrightsfornootherpurposethanprepara-torytoresellingtheenterpriseinwholeorinpart,orassetsoftheenterprise,ortheseshares;

• theconcentrationconsistsinatemporaryacquisitionortak-ingupofsharesbyanentrepreneurwiththeobjectofsecuringreceivables,providedtheentrepreneurdoesnotexerciserightsinthesesharesotherthantherighttosellthesame;

Arwid Mednis [email protected] Bozena Marciniak [email protected] Artur Salbert [email protected]

ul Jasna 14/16A Tel: +48 22 50 50 700

00-041 Warsaw Fax: +48 22 50 50 701

Poland www.eversheds.pl



• theconcentrationoccursinthecourseofbankruptcyproceed-ings,savewheretheentityproposingtotakeovercontrolisacompetitororamemberofacapitalgroupassociatingcompeti-torsofthetargetentrepreneur;or

• theentrepreneursinvolvedbelongtothesamecapitalgroup.

Exceptfortheforeignownershiplimits,theBroadcastingActhasnospecialprovisionsconcerningconcentrationsinthebroadcastingsec-tor;therefore,generalprinciplesenvisagedintheCompetitionLaw,asdescribedabove,andrestrictionsregardingforeignshareholdingasreferredtoinquestions28and34,shallapply.Inaddition,thegeneralprinciplesprovidedintheCompetitionLawshallapplytonewmediasector.

Other

53 Merger control authorities

Which regulatory or competition authorities are responsible for the

review of mergers, acquisitions and joint ventures in the telecoms,

broadcasting and new media sectors?

ThepresidentofUOKiKistheauthorityresponsibleforcontrollingconcentrationsinallthesesectors.

54 Procedure and timescale

What are the procedures and associated timescales for review and

approval of telecoms and broadcasting mergers, acquisitions and joint

ventures?

NotificationofintendedconcentrationsmustbefiledwithUOKiKbyentrepreneursdirectlyparticipatinginconcentration.ProceduressetoutintheCompetitionLawapplytomergersand

buyoutsinthetelecomssectorandbroadcastingsector.Thepro-visionsoftheCodeofAdministrativeProcedureapplytopendingmatters.PursuanttotheCompetitionLaw,thepresidentofUOKiKmay

return,within14days,anotificationofanentrepreneurs’concen-trationintentifthenotificationfailstosatisfytherequirementspre-scribedintheCompetitionLaw.Thepresidentmayalsosummontheparty notifying the concentration intent to remove indicated insuf-ficienciesofthenotificationortosupplementthenotificationbypro-vidingnecessaryinformation,withinafixedtimelimit.ThepresidentofUOKiKconsentstoorprohibitsaconcentrationbyitsdecision.Antimonopolyproceedingsonconcentrationmustbeconcluded

nolaterthantwomonthsfromtheirstartdate.Appealsagainstdecisionsprohibitingconcentrationmaybefiled

withtheCourtforProtectionofCompetitionandConsumerswithintwoweeksofthedecisionbeingserved.JudgmentsoftheCompe-titionCourtmaybesubjecttoanappealtotheAppealCourtonprinciplessetoutintheCodeofCivilProcedure.

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