PRESS RELEASE: Study of the DSA-related market, improving coverage, first fines under the P2B regulation

Prague, 12 November 2024 – At a regular meeting with journalists, CTU presented a study that for the first time comprehensively mapped the Czech market of entities falling under the DSA, summarised new developments in improving ECN coverage and its activities in the area of the P2B regulation.

The study of intermediary service providers under the DSA is the first comprehensive attempt to map the size and structure of this segment of the Czech digital economy. The aim was to find out how many entities in the Czech Republic are affected by the DSA, what services they provide and what is their size. A total of 2,659 relevant service providers were identified in the Czech Republic, of which: 1,976 provide services of mere conduit, 3 caching and 564 hosting, 182 fall into the category of online platform, 76 into the category of online marketplace, and 1 entity into the category of online search engine. The digital economy contributes significantly to the Czech GDP, accounting for 4.93% of the Czech GDP in 2023 (CZK 375.8 billion). Comments can be made on the study presented today (see https://ctu.gov.cz/en/study-intermediary-service-providers).

The second topic of the meeting were the initiatives towards improving coverage, especially with 5G networks. Here CTU recalled the issue of "white areas" identification (https://ctu.gov.cz/en/press-release%3A-ctu-has-renewed-frequency-block-allocations-and-set-out-obligation-cover-white-areas), the new features on the VPortal visualization portal (https://ctu.gov.cz/en/press-release%3A-new-functions-v-portal) and the granting of subsidies for repeaters and permeable windows. We also summarized the activities of CTU in the matter of negotiations with mayors of municipalities and carrying out measurements in the field.

Under the P2B Regulation, CTU has been the competent authority since of March 2023. Inspections are carried out remotely, and 14 inspections were completed from 1 August 2023 to 31 October 2024, 11 of which found practices in breach of the Regulation, 2 identified minor breaches and 1 led to conclusion on no defects. There were 7 final fines imposed in 2024. The total amount of fines was CZK 451,500.

Tereza Meravá
Spokesperson
Czech Telecommunication Office