Cable duct regulation another precursor to Ukrtelecom privatisation
Underlining the Ukrainian government’s determination to privatise incumbent PSTN operator Ukrtelecom, regulations governing access to cable ducts – 90% of which are owned by the former monopoly – have entered into force, adding wholesale cable duct services to the list of regulated ceiling tariffs. The measure, made via a bill which was passed by the country’s unicameral Supreme Council (Verkhovna Rada) on 2 December, was necessary to avoid a new owner of the telco – to be sold off in an auction set for 28 December – gaining an unfair commercial advantage. Cable duct access tariffs were previously dependent solely on alternative cable tray operators’ commercial negotiations with Ukrtelecom, effectively allowing the cable trunking state-run firm to dictate fees
