OREANDA-NEWS. February 22, 2013. The Federal Arbitration Court of the Povolzhie District confirmed legitimacy of the decision and determination issued by the Office of the Federal Antimonopoly Service in the Saratov Region (Saratov OFAS Russia) on the case regarding “VolgaTransTelecom” CJSC, reported the press-centre of FAS Russia.

The Commission of Saratov OFAS Russia established the fact that “VolgaTransTelecom” CJSC and “Alex” Managing Company” violated Article 11 of the Federal Law “On Protection of Competition”. They concluded a contract for installing Internet-connecting equipment in an apartment house without a decision of the general meeting of the homeowners. “Alex” Managing Company” Ltd. did not allow other companies to provide connection to the Internet in the house. As a result of concluding the contract, “VolgaTransTelecom” CJSC obtained unreasonable advantages over other market players. Moreover, it restricted the rights of the residents of the apartment house for having access to the services of other Internet-providers.

The Commission of Saratov OFAS Russia found that “VolgaTransTelecom” CJSC and “Alex” Managing Company” violated the antimonopoly law and issued a determination to the companies to terminate the contract if there would be no decision of a general meeting of the homeowners to select “VolgaTransTelecom” CJSC as an Internet-provider.

To execute the determination, the contract was terminated and a general meeting of the homeowners was organized. As a result, apart from “VolgaTransTelecom” CJSC other operators were able to render Internet-access services: “R-Telecom Holding” CJSC and “MTS” OJSC.

“Saratov OFAS Russia eliminated unlawful actions of one of the participants of the communications market and created conditions for developing fair competition”, pointed out Deputy Head of Saratov OFAS Russia, Lyudmila Borisova.

“VolgaTransTelecom” CJSC attempted to challenge the decision of the Antimonopoly Service but Saratov Regional Arbitration Court, the 12th Arbitration Appeal Court and the Federal Arbitration Court of the Povolzhie District confirmed legitimacy of the decision made by Saratov OFAS Russia.