Un análisis de la situación del sector de las telecomunicaciones en España: aspectos regulatorios y de competencia

In 2000 the Spanish government changed the regulatory framework to introduce overall price limits in most of the basic telecommunication services provided by the traditional operator, thus permitting greater freedom of prices. The interconnection of regulated prices in Spain is in line with the average for EU countries. Off-peak rates are higher than average, but depend on time and distance. Interconnection payments based on the capacity contracted and not on time, alongside the range of rates currently on offer, may bring about improvements for new operators, who would have a range of rates to choose from. In fixed telephones there is an imbalance between prices for long distances and interconnection prices (or prices for metropolitan calls). This is due to two reasons: 1) low local rates; and 2) there is room for more aggressiveness in long-distance prices. The rating imbalance for the traditional operator affects the prices of new entrants. The new connection charge (for 2001-2003) will help correct this imbalance. In mobile telephones prices are in general high, especially in termination rates. Nor does roaming seem to be developing in a competition based market. There are clear structural limitations in this sector which may spark new regulatory mechanisms: the limited number of potential rivals in mobile telephone networks. The recent authorisation of a fourth operator, Xfera, may act as a spur for competition in service prices, and area in which it is not yet very effective.