A1 Slovenija, one of the leading telecommunications providers in Slovenia, has initiated legal action against Telekom Slovenije, accusing the company of exploiting its dominant market position in the wholesale central and local access markets.
The lawsuit, filed in the District Court of Ljubljana, seeks an estimated EUR 33.7 million in damages, accrued interest, and other associated legal costs.
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In 2023, Slovenia’s Agency for Communication Networks and Services (AKOS) implemented partial deregulation in the wholesale central and local access markets. This regulatory change reduced certain obligations for dominant operators, notably Telekom Slovenije, aiming to foster competition and encourage market entry. Following this deregulation, A1 Slovenija has accused Telekom Slovenije of abusing its dominant position by imposing unfair conditions in the wholesale market.
Telekom Slovenije has denied the allegations of abusive practices, stating that its regulated prices for copper network access are among the lowest in the EU. The company emphasized that all service prices undergo regulatory review before implementation to ensure legal compliance. Telekom Slovenije also assured that once the lawsuit is formally received, it will thoroughly review the claims and respond in line with regulations for publicly listed companies.
The District Court of Ljubljana is expected to begin hearing the case early next year.
Implications Across the Broader Slovenian Telecom Market
The outcome of this legal battle could reshape Slovenia’s competitive telecom landscape, influencing everything from pricing models to the rollout of new services. The legal action against Telekom Slovenije could increase regulatory scrutiny in Slovenia’s telecom market, necessitating compliance with competition laws, while regulatory oversight might lead to measures promoting fair competition, benefiting smaller players like A1 Slovenija, and fostering a more competitive telecom environment.
As of 2023, Telekom Slovenije holds market shares of 27.6% in broadband, 35.1% in mobile, 41.0% in television and 31.5% in fixed-line telephony (VoIP), highlighting its dominant position. To further put this dominance into perspective, Slovenia’s telecom market comprises only two additional mobile operators: A1 Slovenija and Telemach Slovenija (which acquired T-2 in August 2024).
