NMHH to cap fixed line price hikes to rate of inflation

Hungary’s telecoms regulator the National Media and Telecommunications Authority (NMHH) says that the country’s main fixed line telecoms providers cannot increase their monthly retail subscription rates by more than the average rate of inflation for 2012 (or 5.7%). Failure to comply with this cap could result in a hefty fine, it said. The watchdog’s stipulation on price rises affects the following telcos which are deemed to be the dominant players in the domestic market: Deutsche Telekom controlled Magyar Telekom (MTel), Invitel Holdings, which is 100% owned by private equity group Mid Europa Partners, and UPC Hungary, part of the US-based Liberty Global Inc stable.