The Czech telecom regulator is moving towards withdrawing restrictions imposed on the incumbent in one of the retail markets (Telefónica O2)

In compliance with the European Commission Recommendation 2007/879/EC on relevant product markets [1] (Recommendation 2007) that are susceptible to be regulated ex ante in accordance with Directive 2002/21/EC [2], the Czech Telecommunication Office (CTO) defined new relevant telecommunication markets [3]. In its decision the retail market of publicly available local and/or national telephone services provided at a fixed location for residential customers - formerly market number three (Market) - was no longer considered relevant, although it continued to be subject to ex ante regulation. Soon after this decision, the CTO issued a new analysis of the Market for a public consultation that expired on 7 April 2008, which suggested the withdrawal of restrictions imposed on the Czech incumbent