Nan Fang Du Shi Bao·2025-07-18 08:59Core Viewpoint - The National Market Supervision Administration has imposed fines on five telecommunications companies in Zhuji City for engaging in monopolistic practices related to fiber optic communication projects, specifically through price-fixing and market division agreements [1][2]. Group 1: Incident Overview - The investigation was initiated on April 12, 2021, following a report of suspected anti-competitive behavior among the involved companies [2]. - The five companies involved include Zhuji Telecom, Zhuji Mobile, Zhuji Unicom, Zhejiang Zhongmi Construction, and Shaoxing Tongfu, all of which are competitors in the local telecommunications market [2]. - The companies began colluding in July 2020, agreeing on fixed prices and market division for fiber optic installation projects in residential areas [2][3]. Group 2: Details of the Collusion - On July 14, 2020, the companies held a meeting where they proposed a pricing model for fiber optic installation at 350 yuan per household for the leading unit and 200 yuan for the other two operators [2]. - A subsequent meeting on July 21, 2020, resulted in the establishment of a "Cable Joint Construction Office," which formalized the collusion regarding contract signing, division of responsibilities, pricing, and management [3]. - By September 18, 2020, the companies further detailed the construction and access processes, setting a total fee of 750 yuan per household [3]. Group 3: Legal Proceedings and Penalties - The actions of the companies were found to violate the previous Anti-Monopoly Law, which prohibits competitors from reaching agreements on fixed prices or market division [3]. - Although the agreements were not implemented, the mere act of collusion constituted a violation of the law [3]. - Each of the five companies was fined 500,000 yuan, the maximum penalty under the previous Anti-Monopoly Law for agreements that had not been executed [3][4].