Netherlands

[NL] Intervention in battle over cable access

IRIS 1996-6:1/20

Marcel Dellebeke

Institute for Information Law (IViR), University of Amsterdam

In addition to the new power of intervention of the Dutch Media Authority regarding access disputes between programme suppliers and cable networks ( see IRIS 1996-5: 12), the Dutch Secretary for Economic Affairs has concerned himself with these disputes on the basis of the Dutch competition law ( Wet economische mededinging). Whereas the Media Authority has made no rulings in these matters yet, the Secretary for Economic Affairs decided on 23 April 1996 that the municipal cable network of Tilburg had to allocate a channel to the company VVM, who provides a cable TV information service. The Secretary ruled that the cable network had an economical position of power and that a refusal to provide a channel when there is still capacity available, would soon be contrary to public interest. He has announced a similar decision concerning the cable network of the city of Alkmaar.