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Blizoo fined for 'unfair competitive practices' [TeleGeography CommsUpdate](TeleGeography CommsUpdate Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Bulgarian anti-monopoly watchdog, the Commission for Protection of Competition (CPC), has imposed a BGN887,260 (USD581,511) fine on internet service provider (ISP) Blizoo 'for unfair competitive practices' with its Decision No.1322/8.10.2014. The CPC noted that the penalty represents 1% of the operator's net revenue for 2013. *The regulator observed that from the end of 2012 Blizoo's double-play plan (including 140 TV channels and 50Mbps broadband access) was bolstered with an add-on 'HD Super Sport' package (including five sports channels) for a twelve or 18 month subscription period. However, in July 2013 the operator ceased broadcasting four of the HD Super Sport channels without notifying its subscribers, while introducing another promotional package – HD Select – which included the same sports channels as HD Super Sport. As such, subscribers to the original double-play plan were required to pay extra in order to continue watching the channels that were initially included in their subscription bundles. The CPC said that the move was in a direct breach of Article 29 of the Law on Competition. The company may appeal the sanction to the Supreme Administrative Court within 14 days. (c) 2014 PriMetrica, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (Syndigate.info). |