(Ecofin Agency) - Morocco’s National Telecommunications Regulatory Agency (ANRT) charged the incumbent operator, Maroc Telecom, with a fine of MAD3.3 billion (€310.2 million) for anti-competitive practices. The fine comes as a sanction for the slowdown in the local loop unbundling, for which Maroc Telecom has already received a warning in October 2016.

ANRT points out that the offender started using these anti-competitive methods since 2013 to prevent or delay competitors' access to unbundling and the fixed-line market.

The mobile operator Wana Corporate, better known under the brand Inwi, is currently before the Commercial Court of Rabat against Maroc Telecom whom the company accuses of taking over telecommunications infrastructure. The dispute was adjourned by the court to February 24, 2020. Inwi claims compensation of MAD5 billion (€470.2 million).

In response, Maroc Telecom indicated it “takes note of the ANRT Board’s decision relating to anti-competitive practices on the fixed market and fixed broadband Internet access,” and “reserves the right to exercise the remedies provided for by law.”