# Uradni list C 62/12.

| | ISSN 1725-5244 |
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| Uradni list
  Evropske unije | C 62 |
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| Slovenska izdaja | Informacije in objave | Zvezek 4812. marec 2005 |

ISSN 1725-5244

Uradni list

Evropske unije

C 62

Slovenska izdaja

Informacije in objave

Zvezek 4812. marec 2005

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| Obvestilo št. | Vsebina | Stran |
| --- | --- | --- |
| | I   Informacije |
| | Svet |
| 2005/C 062/1 | Resolucija Sveta z dne 9. decembra 2004 o prihodnosti informacijsko-komunikacijskih tehnologij (IKT) | 1 |
| | Komisija |
| 2005/C 062/2 | Menjalni tečaji eura | 4 |
| 2005/C 062/3 | Predhodna priglasitev koncentracije (Št. primera COMP/M.3745 – Severstal/Lucchini) — Primer za poenostavljeni postopek (
  1
  ) | 5 |
| 2005/C 062/4 | Odobritev državne pomoči v okviru določb členov 87 in 88 Pogodbe ES — Primeri, v katerih Komisija ne vloži ugovora (
  1
  ) | 6 |
| 2005/C 062/5 | Razpis Vlade Malte z dne 21. januarja 2005 v skladu z Direktivo 94/22/ES Evropskega Parlamenta in Sveta z dne 30. maja 1994 o pogojih za izdajo in uporabo dovoljenj za iskanje, raziskovanje in izkoriščanje ogljikovodikov (
  1
  ) | 7 |
| 2005/C 062/6 | Razpis Vlade Malte z dne 21. januarja 2005 v skladu z Direktivo 94/22/ES Evropskega Parlamenta in Sveta z dne 30. maja 1994 o pogojih za izdajo in uporabo dovoljenj za iskanje, raziskovanje in izkoriščanje ogljikovodikov (
  1
  ) | 8 |
| 2005/C 062/7 | Predhodna priglasitev koncentracije (Št. primera COMP/M.3743 – DuPont/DDE) — Primer za poenostavljeni postopek (
  1
  ) | 9 |
| 2005/C 062/8 | Državne pomoči – Združeno kraljestvo — Državna pomoč C 4/2005 (prej NN 57/2004) — Davek od premoženja na telekomunikacijsko infrastrukturo — Poziv k predložitvi pripomb na podlagi člena 88(2) Pogodbe ES (
  1
  ) | 10 |

Obvestilo št.

Vsebina

Stran

I   Informacije

Svet

2005/C 062/1

Resolucija Sveta z dne 9. decembra 2004 o prihodnosti informacijsko-komunikacijskih tehnologij (IKT)

1

Komisija

2005/C 062/2

Menjalni tečaji eura

4

2005/C 062/3

Predhodna priglasitev koncentracije (Št. primera COMP/M.3745 – Severstal/Lucchini) — Primer za poenostavljeni postopek (
  1
  )

1

5

2005/C 062/4

Odobritev državne pomoči v okviru določb členov 87 in 88 Pogodbe ES — Primeri, v katerih Komisija ne vloži ugovora (
  1
  )

1

6

2005/C 062/5

Razpis Vlade Malte z dne 21. januarja 2005 v skladu z Direktivo 94/22/ES Evropskega Parlamenta in Sveta z dne 30. maja 1994 o pogojih za izdajo in uporabo dovoljenj za iskanje, raziskovanje in izkoriščanje ogljikovodikov (
  1
  )

1

7

2005/C 062/6

Razpis Vlade Malte z dne 21. januarja 2005 v skladu z Direktivo 94/22/ES Evropskega Parlamenta in Sveta z dne 30. maja 1994 o pogojih za izdajo in uporabo dovoljenj za iskanje, raziskovanje in izkoriščanje ogljikovodikov (
  1
  )

1

8

2005/C 062/7

Predhodna priglasitev koncentracije (Št. primera COMP/M.3743 – DuPont/DDE) — Primer za poenostavljeni postopek (
  1
  )

1

9

2005/C 062/8

Državne pomoči – Združeno kraljestvo — Državna pomoč C 4/2005 (prej NN 57/2004) — Davek od premoženja na telekomunikacijsko infrastrukturo — Poziv k predložitvi pripomb na podlagi člena 88(2) Pogodbe ES (
  1
  )

1

10

| | III   Obvestila |
| --- | --- |
| | Komisija |
| 2005/C 062/9 | UK–Greenock: Opravljanje rednih zračnih prevozov — Javni razpis Irske v skladu s členom 4(1)(d) Uredbe Sveta (EGS) št. 2408/92 glede opravljanja rednih zračnih prevozov med Galwayem/Na Minno in Aranskimi otoki (
  1
  ) | 19 |

III   Obvestila

Komisija

2005/C 062/9

UK–Greenock: Opravljanje rednih zračnih prevozov — Javni razpis Irske v skladu s členom 4(1)(d) Uredbe Sveta (EGS) št. 2408/92 glede opravljanja rednih zračnih prevozov med Galwayem/Na Minno in Aranskimi otoki (
  1
  )

1

19

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| | (1)   Besedilo velja za EGP. |

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(1)   Besedilo velja za EGP.

1

| SL | |
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SL

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I Informacije

Svet

| 12.3.2005 | SL | Uradni list Evropske unije | C 62/1 |
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12.3.2005

SL

Uradni list Evropske unije

C 62/1

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RESOLUCIJA SVETA

z dne 9. decembra 2004

o prihodnosti informacijsko-komunikacijskih tehnologij (IKT)

(2005/C 62/01)

SVET EVROPSKE UNIJE –

ob pozdravljanju Sporočila Komisije o izzivih evropske informacijske družbe po letu 2005 in Sporočila Komisije o mobilnih širokopasovnih storitvah,

ob sklicevanju na

| 1. | sklepe Predsedstva z zasedanja Evropskega sveta v Lizboni 23. in 24. marca 2000; |
| --- | --- |

1.

sklepe Predsedstva z zasedanja Evropskega sveta v Lizboni 23. in 24. marca 2000;

| 2. | sklepe Predsedstva z zasedanja Evropskega sveta junija 2000, ki potrjujejo cilje akcijskega načrta eEvropa 2005; |
| --- | --- |

2.

sklepe Predsedstva z zasedanja Evropskega sveta junija 2000, ki potrjujejo cilje akcijskega načrta eEvropa 2005;

| 3. | Resolucijo Sveta z dne 18. februarja 2003 o izvajanju akcijskega načrta eEvropa 2005; |
| --- | --- |

3.

Resolucijo Sveta z dne 18. februarja 2003 o izvajanju akcijskega načrta eEvropa 2005;

| 4. | sklepe Predsedstva Evropskega sveta s spomladanskega zasedanja 2003, v katerih so države članice EU 15 držav pozvane, da do konca leta 2003 vzpostavijo nacionalne strategije glede širokopasovnih komunikacij; |
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4.

sklepe Predsedstva Evropskega sveta s spomladanskega zasedanja 2003, v katerih so države članice EU 15 držav pozvane, da do konca leta 2003 vzpostavijo nacionalne strategije glede širokopasovnih komunikacij;

| 5. | sklepe Sveta z dne 20. novembra 2003 o vlogi elektronske uprave (eGovernment) za prihodnost Evrope; |
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5.

sklepe Sveta z dne 20. novembra 2003 o vlogi elektronske uprave (eGovernment) za prihodnost Evrope;

| 6. | sklepe Predsedstva Evropskega sveta s spomladanskega zasedanja 2004, ki poudarjajo potrebo po novih strategijah na področju elektronskih komunikacij; |
| --- | --- |

6.

sklepe Predsedstva Evropskega sveta s spomladanskega zasedanja 2004, ki poudarjajo potrebo po novih strategijah na področju elektronskih komunikacij;

| 7. | sklepe Sveta z dne 8. marca 2004 o najnovejšem razvoju na področju elektronskih komunikacij v Evropi, ki potrjujejo pomen IKT za rast in konkurenčnost; |
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7.

sklepe Sveta z dne 8. marca 2004 o najnovejšem razvoju na področju elektronskih komunikacij v Evropi, ki potrjujejo pomen IKT za rast in konkurenčnost;

| 8. | sklepe Sveta z dne 8. marca 2004 o vmesnem pregledu akcijskega načrta eEvropa 2005, ki potrjujejo, da cilji eEvrope 2005 ostajajo veljavni v okviru širitve; |
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8.

sklepe Sveta z dne 8. marca 2004 o vmesnem pregledu akcijskega načrta eEvropa 2005, ki potrjujejo, da cilji eEvrope 2005 ostajajo veljavni v okviru širitve;

| 9. | sklepe Sveta z dne 10. junija 2004 o reviziji akcijskega načrta eEvropa 2005 in nacionalnih strategijah glede širokopasovnih komunikacij; |
| --- | --- |

9.

sklepe Sveta z dne 10. junija 2004 o reviziji akcijskega načrta eEvropa 2005 in nacionalnih strategijah glede širokopasovnih komunikacij;

| 10. | sklepe Predsedstva z zasedanja Evropskega sveta 4. in 5. novembra 2004, ki pozdravljajo poročilo skupine na visoki ravni pod predsedstvom g. Koka; |
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10.

sklepe Predsedstva z zasedanja Evropskega sveta 4. in 5. novembra 2004, ki pozdravljajo poročilo skupine na visoki ravni pod predsedstvom g. Koka;

| 11. | usmeritve sestanka na visoki ravni z dne 29. in 30. septembra 2004 o prihodnosti IKT, |
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11.

usmeritve sestanka na visoki ravni z dne 29. in 30. septembra 2004 o prihodnosti IKT,

ob priznavanju naslednjega:

| 1. | Za pomoč pri doseganju lizbonskih ciljev iz marca 2000 obstaja jasna potreba po reviziji in, kjer je to potrebno, izboljšanju politik na evropski in nacionalni ravni, da se poveča razširjanje in razvoj IKT v celotni družbi. |
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1.

Za pomoč pri doseganju lizbonskih ciljev iz marca 2000 obstaja jasna potreba po reviziji in, kjer je to potrebno, izboljšanju politik na evropski in nacionalni ravni, da se poveča razširjanje in razvoj IKT v celotni družbi.

| 2. | IKT predstavljajo pomemben samostojen gospodarski sektor, ki vključuje informacijsko tehnologijo, elektronske komunikacije in avdio-vizualno industrijo in ima znatne možnosti za rast v prihodnosti ter vpliva na skoraj vse druge gospodarske dejavnosti. |
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2.

IKT predstavljajo pomemben samostojen gospodarski sektor, ki vključuje informacijsko tehnologijo, elektronske komunikacije in avdio-vizualno industrijo in ima znatne možnosti za rast v prihodnosti ter vpliva na skoraj vse druge gospodarske dejavnosti.

| 3. | Uporaba IKT ima neposreden in znaten vpliv na produktivnost in konkurenčnost evropskega gospodarstva. |
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3.

Uporaba IKT ima neposreden in znaten vpliv na produktivnost in konkurenčnost evropskega gospodarstva.

| 4. | IKT predstavljajo dragocen pripomoček za spodbujanje socialne in geografske kohezije ter državljanstva v Evropi brez izključenosti, za uveljavljanje kulturnih identitet, socialnega vključevanja in večjezičnosti ter povečanje preglednosti in sodelovanja v družbi. |
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4.

IKT predstavljajo dragocen pripomoček za spodbujanje socialne in geografske kohezije ter državljanstva v Evropi brez izključenosti, za uveljavljanje kulturnih identitet, socialnega vključevanja in večjezičnosti ter povečanje preglednosti in sodelovanja v družbi.

| 5. | Vsestranske in celostne politike glede IKT lahko v veliki meri prispevajo k ciljem rasti, produktivnosti in konkurenčnosti EU z oblikovanjem delovnih mest visoke kakovosti, izboljšanjem celotne gospodarske storilnosti, posodobitvijo javnih storitev ter s spodbujanjem posodobitve poslovnih postopkov v javnem in zasebnem sektorju. |
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5.

Vsestranske in celostne politike glede IKT lahko v veliki meri prispevajo k ciljem rasti, produktivnosti in konkurenčnosti EU z oblikovanjem delovnih mest visoke kakovosti, izboljšanjem celotne gospodarske storilnosti, posodobitvijo javnih storitev ter s spodbujanjem posodobitve poslovnih postopkov v javnem in zasebnem sektorju.

| 6. | Politike se morajo razvijati v okviru stalnega dialoga med državnimi organi, zasebnim sektorjem in drugimi interesnimi skupinami, saj se le tako lahko soočijo z novim razvojem na področju IKT. |
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6.

Politike se morajo razvijati v okviru stalnega dialoga med državnimi organi, zasebnim sektorjem in drugimi interesnimi skupinami, saj se le tako lahko soočijo z novim razvojem na področju IKT.

| 7. | EU bi na globalnih trgih, ki se hitro razvijajo in postajajo vse bolj konkurenčni, lahko veliko pridobila z inovativnim in konkurenčnim področjem IKT – |
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7.

EU bi na globalnih trgih, ki se hitro razvijajo in postajajo vse bolj konkurenčni, lahko veliko pridobila z inovativnim in konkurenčnim področjem IKT –

MENI, da je za razvoj vsestranskih in celostnih politik glede IKT treba preučiti naslednja vprašanja:

Izvrstno področje IKT in inovativno poslovanje

| — | nadaljnje vlaganje v javnem in zasebnem sektorju v zanesljive razvojno-raziskovalne (R in R) dejavnosti glede IKT, krepljenje evropske odličnosti na področju R in R z oblikovanjem ugodnega znanstvenega, finančnega in podjetniškega okolja; |
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—

nadaljnje vlaganje v javnem in zasebnem sektorju v zanesljive razvojno-raziskovalne (R in R) dejavnosti glede IKT, krepljenje evropske odličnosti na področju R in R z oblikovanjem ugodnega znanstvenega, finančnega in podjetniškega okolja;

| — | spodbujanje ugodnega okolja, ki podpira prosto kroženje znanja in inovacij in v katerem se rezultati raziskav pretvorijo v aplikacijske programe in izdelke z dodano vrednostjo; |
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—

spodbujanje ugodnega okolja, ki podpira prosto kroženje znanja in inovacij in v katerem se rezultati raziskav pretvorijo v aplikacijske programe in izdelke z dodano vrednostjo;

| — | spodbujanje, zlasti znotraj MSP, dejanske vpeljave novih postopkov e-poslovanja in privzema novih poslovnih vzorcev za izkoriščanje možnosti IKT. |
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—

spodbujanje, zlasti znotraj MSP, dejanske vpeljave novih postopkov e-poslovanja in privzema novih poslovnih vzorcev za izkoriščanje možnosti IKT.

IKT za državljane ter spretnosti in znanja v zvezi z IKT

| — | pospeševanje dostopa in razpoložljivosti storitev IKT za vse, zlasti z boljšo predstavo o možnih koristih IKT in spodbujanjem nenehne izboljšave uporabniku prijaznih tehnologij, kar med drugim še naprej omogoča zmanjševanje digitalnega razkoraka; |
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—

pospeševanje dostopa in razpoložljivosti storitev IKT za vse, zlasti z boljšo predstavo o možnih koristih IKT in spodbujanjem nenehne izboljšave uporabniku prijaznih tehnologij, kar med drugim še naprej omogoča zmanjševanje digitalnega razkoraka;

| — | spodbujanje ukrepov, kot je e-učenje, za nadaljnji razvoj elektronskih spretnosti in znanj za vse, ne glede na starost, spol ali etnično in socialno poreklo, in tako omogočiti, da lahko vsakdo v celoti izkoristi možnosti, ki jih ponuja informacijska družba; |
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—

spodbujanje ukrepov, kot je e-učenje, za nadaljnji razvoj elektronskih spretnosti in znanj za vse, ne glede na starost, spol ali etnično in socialno poreklo, in tako omogočiti, da lahko vsakdo v celoti izkoristi možnosti, ki jih ponuja informacijska družba;

| — | nadaljnje vključevanje IKT na delovno mesto na način, ki bi povečal produktivnost in kakovost dela ter okrepil sestavino IKT prek dejavnosti usposabljanja; |
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—

nadaljnje vključevanje IKT na delovno mesto na način, ki bi povečal produktivnost in kakovost dela ter okrepil sestavino IKT prek dejavnosti usposabljanja;

| — | iskanje strateških odgovorov na selitev delovnih mest, zlasti s spodbujanjem prilagodljivosti delavcev in podjetij, prožnostjo ter varnostjo na trgu dela. |
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iskanje strateških odgovorov na selitev delovnih mest, zlasti s spodbujanjem prilagodljivosti delavcev in podjetij, prožnostjo ter varnostjo na trgu dela.

IKT za javne storitve

| — | odobritev in izvajanje, po potrebi na evropski ravni, celostnih pristopov pri uporabi aplikacijskih programov e-uprave, zlasti s spodbujanjem sodelovanja in izmenjave najboljših praks; |
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—

odobritev in izvajanje, po potrebi na evropski ravni, celostnih pristopov pri uporabi aplikacijskih programov e-uprave, zlasti s spodbujanjem sodelovanja in izmenjave najboljših praks;

| — | razvoj celovitega pristopa, ki upošteva potrebo po organizacijskih prilagoditvah, da se izkoristijo možnosti IKT in s tem zagotovi boljše delovanje in učinkovitejši javni sektor, hkrati pa prilagajanje spletnih storitev potrebam podjetij in državljanov ter zmanjševanje upravnega bremena, zlasti z upoštevanjem potrebe po čezmejnih evropskih storitvah; |
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—

razvoj celovitega pristopa, ki upošteva potrebo po organizacijskih prilagoditvah, da se izkoristijo možnosti IKT in s tem zagotovi boljše delovanje in učinkovitejši javni sektor, hkrati pa prilagajanje spletnih storitev potrebam podjetij in državljanov ter zmanjševanje upravnega bremena, zlasti z upoštevanjem potrebe po čezmejnih evropskih storitvah;

| — | razvijanje vseevropskih storitev na področju e-zdravstva, pri čemer je treba posebno pozornost nameniti vprašanjem standardizacije in medobratovalnosti, da bi lahko kar najbolje izvajali zdravljenje in nego bolnikov. |
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—

razvijanje vseevropskih storitev na področju e-zdravstva, pri čemer je treba posebno pozornost nameniti vprašanjem standardizacije in medobratovalnosti, da bi lahko kar najbolje izvajali zdravljenje in nego bolnikov.

Vsebina izdelkov in storitev ter njihov razvoj

| — | podpiranje razvoja in širjenja bogate in ustvarjalne vsebine, na primer s spodbujanjem nove uporabe informacij javnega sektorja; |
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—

podpiranje razvoja in širjenja bogate in ustvarjalne vsebine, na primer s spodbujanjem nove uporabe informacij javnega sektorja;

| — | odstranitev, kadar je to potrebno, ovir za razpoložljivost vsebine na različnih platformah, na primer s spodbujanjem iskanja praktičnih rešitev na področju upravljanja digitalnih vsebin; |
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odstranitev, kadar je to potrebno, ovir za razpoložljivost vsebine na različnih platformah, na primer s spodbujanjem iskanja praktičnih rešitev na področju upravljanja digitalnih vsebin;

| — | podpiranje pojavljanja novih storitev na razširjenem notranjem trgu s spodbujanjem ugodnega zakonodajnega okolja, ki upošteva nov razvoj, kot so tehnične inovacije; |
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—

podpiranje pojavljanja novih storitev na razširjenem notranjem trgu s spodbujanjem ugodnega zakonodajnega okolja, ki upošteva nov razvoj, kot so tehnične inovacije;

| — | kot odgovor na naraščajoče število aplikacijskih programov, ki temeljijo na IKT, oblikovanje okolja, naklonjenega industriji in javnemu sektorju, da se tako v Evropi kot na svetovni ravni razvijejo učinkovite in medobratovalne rešitve, zlasti za elektronska plačila, overjanje, upravljanje identitete in varnost. |
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kot odgovor na naraščajoče število aplikacijskih programov, ki temeljijo na IKT, oblikovanje okolja, naklonjenega industriji in javnemu sektorju, da se tako v Evropi kot na svetovni ravni razvijejo učinkovite in medobratovalne rešitve, zlasti za elektronska plačila, overjanje, upravljanje identitete in varnost.

Razvoj mrež

| — | zagotovitev skladnega in učinkovitega zakonodajnega okolja za elektronske komunikacije, ki spodbuja tekmovalnost, vlaganje in inovacijo; |
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zagotovitev skladnega in učinkovitega zakonodajnega okolja za elektronske komunikacije, ki spodbuja tekmovalnost, vlaganje in inovacijo;

| — | podpiranje razvoja in uporabe odprtih standardov ter krepitev medobratovalnosti mrež in storitev; |
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—

podpiranje razvoja in uporabe odprtih standardov ter krepitev medobratovalnosti mrež in storitev;

| — | podpiranje – ob upoštevanju načela tehnološke nevtralnosti – večje uporabe in razpoložljivosti širokopasovnega omrežja, zlasti s spodbujanjem konkurenčnih platform in medobratovalnih mrež; |
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podpiranje – ob upoštevanju načela tehnološke nevtralnosti – večje uporabe in razpoložljivosti širokopasovnega omrežja, zlasti s spodbujanjem konkurenčnih platform in medobratovalnih mrež;

| — | nadaljnje ocenjevanje različnih modelov upravljanja spektra z namenom prožnejše in učinkovitejše uporabe spektra na evropski in svetovni ravni, ob upoštevanju razvoja novih in inovativnih tehnologij ter metodologij, ki uporabljajo tržne mehanizme. |
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nadaljnje ocenjevanje različnih modelov upravljanja spektra z namenom prožnejše in učinkovitejše uporabe spektra na evropski in svetovni ravni, ob upoštevanju razvoja novih in inovativnih tehnologij ter metodologij, ki uporabljajo tržne mehanizme.

Zaupanje in varnost

| — | razvoj skladnega pristopa, ki obravnava vsa umestna vprašanja v zvezi z zaupanjem, da bi se še naprej razvijala kultura varnosti mrež in informacij in tako spodbujati zanesljive in učinkovite elektronske komunikacije ter prispevati k razvoju varnih vseevropskih storitev; |
| --- | --- |

—

razvoj skladnega pristopa, ki obravnava vsa umestna vprašanja v zvezi z zaupanjem, da bi se še naprej razvijala kultura varnosti mrež in informacij in tako spodbujati zanesljive in učinkovite elektronske komunikacije ter prispevati k razvoju varnih vseevropskih storitev;

| — | oblikovanje ukrepov za boj proti nezakonitim, škodljivim in neželenim vsebinam na internetu, zlasti kar zadeva otroke, ter za boj proti neželeni elektronski pošti, v sodelovanju z vsemi interesnimi skupinami, vključno na mednarodni ravni; |
| --- | --- |

—

oblikovanje ukrepov za boj proti nezakonitim, škodljivim in neželenim vsebinam na internetu, zlasti kar zadeva otroke, ter za boj proti neželeni elektronski pošti, v sodelovanju z vsemi interesnimi skupinami, vključno na mednarodni ravni;

| — | zagotovitev primerne ravni varnosti mrež in informacij za širjenje in uporabo novih storitev ter dobrega delovanja drugih infrastruktur, odvisnih od IKT, ob upoštevanju vidikov zaupanja in zasebnosti, |
| --- | --- |

—

zagotovitev primerne ravni varnosti mrež in informacij za širjenje in uporabo novih storitev ter dobrega delovanja drugih infrastruktur, odvisnih od IKT, ob upoštevanju vidikov zaupanja in zasebnosti,

POZIVA DRŽAVE ČLANICE, naj si prizadevajo za pregled in krepitev svojih strateških usmeritev in prizadevanj, vloženih v izvajanje, ter tako prispevajo k novi agendi za informacijsko družbo do leta 2010,

POZIVA KOMISIJO, NAJ

| 1. | še naprej nadzira normativno ureditev v luči sedanjega in prihodnjega razvoja tehnologij in trga ter predstavi, kjer je to potrebno, predloge za ohranitev primernega zakonodajnega okolja, ki spodbuja učinkovito tekmovalnost in prispeva k povečanju števila naložb, večji inovativnosti, nastanku novih storitev in znižanju cen; |
| --- | --- |

1.

še naprej nadzira normativno ureditev v luči sedanjega in prihodnjega razvoja tehnologij in trga ter predstavi, kjer je to potrebno, predloge za ohranitev primernega zakonodajnega okolja, ki spodbuja učinkovito tekmovalnost in prispeva k povečanju števila naložb, večji inovativnosti, nastanku novih storitev in znižanju cen;

| 2. | preuči konkurenčnost področja IKT in ob upoštevanju vpliva IKT na evropsko gospodarstvo začne s pripravljalnim delom za spremljanje akcijskega načrta eEvropa 2005, ki predstavlja pomemben del nove agende za informacijsko družbo po letu 2005; |
| --- | --- |

2.

preuči konkurenčnost področja IKT in ob upoštevanju vpliva IKT na evropsko gospodarstvo začne s pripravljalnim delom za spremljanje akcijskega načrta eEvropa 2005, ki predstavlja pomemben del nove agende za informacijsko družbo po letu 2005;

| 3. | prizna pomen IKT v bližnjem predlogu naslednjega okvirnega raziskovalnega programa, |
| --- | --- |

3.

prizna pomen IKT v bližnjem predlogu naslednjega okvirnega raziskovalnega programa,

POZIVA PODJETJA, naj trg še naprej oskrbujejo z novimi inovativnimi aplikacijskimi programi in storitvami s področja IKT in ustvarjajo privlačno novo vsebino, med drugim z izkoriščanjem prednosti evropske kulturne raznolikosti in večjezičnosti,

POZIVA VSE INTERESNE SKUPINE, naj nadaljujejo z vključevanjem IKT v svoje dejavnosti in tako v celoti izkoristijo prednosti IKT,

PREDLOŽI to resolucijo kot prispevek k razpravi o vmesnem pregledu lizbonske strategije, ki ga bo Evropski svet izvedel na svojem spomladanskem zasedanju 2005.

---

Komisija

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Menjalni tečaji eura (1)

11. marca 2005

(2005/C 62/02)

1 euro=

| | Valuta | Menjalni tečaj |
| --- | --- | --- |
| USD | ameriški dolar | 1,3416 |
| JPY | japonski jen | 139,67 |
| DKK | danska krona | 7,4462 |
| GBP | funt šterling | 0,69865 |
| SEK | švedska krona | 9,0630 |
| CHF | švicarski frank | 1,5500 |
| ISK | islandska krona | 79,27 |
| NOK | norveška krona | 8,177 |
| BGN | lev | 1,9559 |
| CYP | ciprski funt | 0,5825 |
| CZK | češka krona | 29,475 |
| EEK | estonska krona | 15,6466 |
| HUF | madžarski forint | 243,20 |
| LTL | litovski litas | 3,4528 |
| LVL | latvijski lats | 0,6960 |
| MTL | malteška lira | 0,4330 |
| PLN | poljski zlot | 3,9519 |
| ROL | romunski leu | 35 885 |
| SIT | slovenski tolar | 239,72 |
| SKK | slovaška krona | 37,649 |
| TRY | turška lira | 1,7002 |
| AUD | avstralski dolar | 1,6944 |
| CAD | kanadski dolar | 1,6176 |
| HKD | hongkonški dolar | 10,4638 |
| NZD | novozelandski dolar | 1,8173 |
| SGD | singapurski dolar | 2,1733 |
| KRW | južnokorejski won | 1 342,14 |
| ZAR | južnoafriški rand | 7,8354 |

Valuta

Menjalni tečaj

USD

ameriški dolar

1,3416

JPY

japonski jen

139,67

DKK

danska krona

7,4462

GBP

funt šterling

0,69865

SEK

švedska krona

9,0630

CHF

švicarski frank

1,5500

ISK

islandska krona

79,27

NOK

norveška krona

8,177

BGN

lev

1,9559

CYP

ciprski funt

0,5825

CZK

češka krona

29,475

EEK

estonska krona

15,6466

HUF

madžarski forint

243,20

LTL

litovski litas

3,4528

LVL

latvijski lats

0,6960

MTL

malteška lira

0,4330

PLN

poljski zlot

3,9519

ROL

romunski leu

35 885

SIT

slovenski tolar

239,72

SKK

slovaška krona

37,649

TRY

turška lira

1,7002

AUD

avstralski dolar

1,6944

CAD

kanadski dolar

1,6176

HKD

hongkonški dolar

10,4638

NZD

novozelandski dolar

1,8173

SGD

singapurski dolar

2,1733

KRW

južnokorejski won

1 342,14

ZAR

južnoafriški rand

7,8354

---

(1)

Vir: referenčni menjalni tečaj, ki ga objavlja ECB.

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| 12.3.2005 | SL | Uradni list Evropske unije | C 62/5 |
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Predhodna priglasitev koncentracije

(Št. primera COMP/M.3745 – Severstal/Lucchini)

Primer za poenostavljeni postopek

(2005/C 62/03)

(Besedilo velja za EGP)

| 1. | Dne 4. marca 2005 je Komisija prejela priglasitev predlagane koncentracije po členu 4 Uredbe Sveta (ES) št. 139/2004 (1), s katero skupina ZAO Severstal („Severstal“, Rusija) prevzema v smislu člena 3(1)(b) Uredbe Sveta nadzor nad celotnim podjetjem Lucchini SpA („Lucchini“, Italija) na podlagi nakupa delnic. |
| --- | --- |

1.

Dne 4. marca 2005 je Komisija prejela priglasitev predlagane koncentracije po členu 4 Uredbe Sveta (ES) št. 139/2004 (1), s katero skupina ZAO Severstal („Severstal“, Rusija) prevzema v smislu člena 3(1)(b) Uredbe Sveta nadzor nad celotnim podjetjem Lucchini SpA („Lucchini“, Italija) na podlagi nakupa delnic.

| 2. | Poslovne dejavnosti zadevnih podjetij so:






  — | za Severstal: metalurška proizvodnja in distribucija kot primarni dejavnosti, pa tudi bančništvo, zavarovalništvo in drugi sektorji; |
| --- | --- | --- |

2.

Poslovne dejavnosti zadevnih podjetij so:

—

za Severstal: metalurška proizvodnja in distribucija kot primarni dejavnosti, pa tudi bančništvo, zavarovalništvo in drugi sektorji;

| — | za Lucchini: proizvodnja in prodaja proizvodov iz jekla. |
| --- | --- |

—

za Lucchini: proizvodnja in prodaja proizvodov iz jekla.

| 3. | Po predhodnem pregledu Komisija ugotavlja, da bi priglašena transakcija lahko spadala v obseg Uredbe (ES) št. 139/2004, vendar končna odločitev o tem še ni podana. Na podlagi obvestila Komisije o poenostavljenem postopku obravnave nekaterih koncentracij po Uredbi Sveta (ES) št. 139/2004 (2) je treba opozoriti, da je ta primer primeren za obravnavo po postopku, določenem v obvestilu. |
| --- | --- |

3.

Po predhodnem pregledu Komisija ugotavlja, da bi priglašena transakcija lahko spadala v obseg Uredbe (ES) št. 139/2004, vendar končna odločitev o tem še ni podana. Na podlagi obvestila Komisije o poenostavljenem postopku obravnave nekaterih koncentracij po Uredbi Sveta (ES) št. 139/2004 (2) je treba opozoriti, da je ta primer primeren za obravnavo po postopku, določenem v obvestilu.

| 4. | Komisija vabi zainteresirane tretje osebe, da Komisiji predložijo svoje pripombe glede predlaganega postopka.
  Komisija mora prejeti pripombe najkasneje v 10 dneh po dnevu te objave. Pripombe pošljite Komisiji po faksu (št. faksa: (32-2) 296 43 01 ali 296 72 44) ali pošti pod sklicno številko COMP/M.3745 – Severstal/Lucchini na naslednji naslov:





  European Commission |
| --- | --- |
| Directorate-General for Competition, |
| Merger Registry |
| J-70 |
| B-1049 Bruxelles/Brussel |

4.

Komisija vabi zainteresirane tretje osebe, da Komisiji predložijo svoje pripombe glede predlaganega postopka.

Komisija mora prejeti pripombe najkasneje v 10 dneh po dnevu te objave. Pripombe pošljite Komisiji po faksu (št. faksa: (32-2) 296 43 01 ali 296 72 44) ali pošti pod sklicno številko COMP/M.3745 – Severstal/Lucchini na naslednji naslov:

European Commission

Directorate-General for Competition,

Merger Registry

J-70

B-1049 Bruxelles/Brussel

---

(1)  UL L 24, 29.1.2004, str. 1.

(2)  Dostopno na spletni strani DG COMP:

http://europa.eu.int/comm/competition/mergers/legislation/consultation/simplified_tru.pdf.

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Odobritev državne pomoči v okviru določb členov 87 in 88 Pogodbe ES

Primeri, v katerih Komisija ne vloži ugovora

(2005/C 62/04)

(Besedilo velja za EGP)

Datum sprejetja tega sklepa:

Država članica [regija]: Italija

Št. pomoči: N 584/2003

Naslov: Podaljšanje roka za oddajo ladij 2 Ro-Ro TP (številki C.209 in C.210)

Cilj [sektor]: ladjedelništvo

Pravna podlaga: Articolo 2 della Legge n. 522 del 28.12.1999

Intenzivnost ali znesek pomoči: 9 %

Drugi podatki: Avtentično besedilo te odločbe, iz katere so bile odstranjene vse zaupne informacije, je objavljeno na spletni strani at

http://europa.eu.int/comm/secretariat_general/sgb/state_aids

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Razpis Vlade Malte z dne 21. januarja 2005 v skladu z Direktivo 94/22/ES Evropskega Parlamenta in Sveta z dne 30. maja 1994 o pogojih za izdajo in uporabo dovoljenj za iskanje, raziskovanje in izkoriščanje ogljikovodikov (1)

(2005/C 62/05)

(Besedilo velja za EGP)

V skladu s členom 10 Direktive 94/22/ES Evropskega parlamenta in Sveta z dne 30. maja 1994 o pogojih za izdajo in uporabo dovoljenj za iskanje, raziskovanje in izkoriščanje ogljikovodikov Republika Malta obvešča Evropsko komisijo, da je edini pristojni organ Minister za naravne vire in infrastrukturo Republike Malte (Minister for Resources and Infrastructure), Block B, Floriana CMR 02, Malta.

V skladu s členom 5(1) Direktive 94/22/ES, Minister za naravne vire in infrastrukturo Republike Malte s tem obvešča, da so merila za izdajo dovoljenj naslednja:

| (a) | finančni viri prosilca; |
| --- | --- |

(a)

finančni viri prosilca;

| (b) | tehnična usposobljenost in izkušnje prosilca; |
| --- | --- |

(b)

tehnična usposobljenost in izkušnje prosilca;

| (c) | delovni program, ki ga prosilec predlaga; |
| --- | --- |

(c)

delovni program, ki ga prosilec predlaga;

| (d) | kadar je ustrezno, prejšnje delo prosilca z morebitnimi predhodnimi dovoljenji; ter |
| --- | --- |

(d)

kadar je ustrezno, prejšnje delo prosilca z morebitnimi predhodnimi dovoljenji; ter

| (e) | cena, ki jo je oseba pripravljena plačati za pridobitev dovoljenja, če se dovoljenje daje v prodajo. |
| --- | --- |

(e)

cena, ki jo je oseba pripravljena plačati za pridobitev dovoljenja, če se dovoljenje daje v prodajo.

V skladu s členom 5(2) Direktive 94/22/ES so podatki o pogojih in zahtevah glede opravljanja ali prenehanja opravljanja dejavnosti, ki se uporabljajo za vsako vrsto dovoljenja, navedeni v vzorcih ESA (2001) in PSC (2001), ki jih je objavil Oddelek za iskanje nafte pri Ministrstvu za naravne vire in infrastrukturo (The Oil Exploration Department, Ministry for Resources and Infrastructure), Block B, Floriana CMR 02, Malta. Podatki ne veljajo nujno za primer iz člena 3(2) Direktive 94/22/ES.

---

(1)  UL L 164, 30.6.1994, str. 3.

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Razpis Vlade Malte z dne 21. januarja 2005 v skladu z Direktivo 94/22/ES Evropskega Parlamenta in Sveta z dne 30. maja 1994 o pogojih za izdajo in uporabo dovoljenj za iskanje, raziskovanje in izkoriščanje ogljikovodikov (1)

(2005/C 62/06)

(Besedilo velja za EGP)

V skladu s členom 3(3) Direktive 94/22/ES Evropskega parlamenta in Sveta z dne 30. maja 1994 o pogojih za izdajo in uporabo dovoljenj za iskanje, raziskovanje in izkoriščanje ogljikovodikov malteški minister za naravne vire in infrastrukturo obvešča, da so v teritorialnih vodah Malte naslednja območja (ali njihovi deli) trajno na voljo za izdajo dovoljenja za raziskovanje ali dovoljenja za raziskovanje in izkoriščanje:

| (i) | območje 1 |
| --- | --- |

(i)

območje 1

| (ii) | območje 3 (razen delov, navedenih spodaj) |
| --- | --- |

(ii)

območje 3 (razen delov, navedenih spodaj)

| (iii) | območje 4 (razen delov, navedenih spodaj) |
| --- | --- |

(iii)

območje 4 (razen delov, navedenih spodaj)

| (iv) | območje 6 |
| --- | --- |

(iv)

območje 6

Za naslednja območja/dele so že bila izdana dovoljenja pred 1. majem 2004 in do nadaljnjega obvestila niso na voljo:

| (i) | območje 2 |
| --- | --- |

(i)

območje 2

| (ii) | del 4 in del 5 območja 3 |
| --- | --- |

(ii)

del 4 in del 5 območja 3

| (iii) | del 3 območja 4 |
| --- | --- |

(iii)

del 3 območja 4

| (iv) | območje 5 |
| --- | --- |

(iv)

območje 5

| (v) | območje 7 |
| --- | --- |

(v)

območje 7

Prosilci sporočijo zahtevane podatke na obrazcu, objavljenem v Petroleum (Production) Regulations, 2001 (pravno obvestilo 320 z dne 1. decembra 2001).

Območja/deli, ki so na voljo za dovoljenja, kot tudi območja/deli, za katera so dovoljenja že bila izdana, so razmejena z zemljepisnimi koordinatami, ki jih, poleg drugih informacij, lahko dobite na Oddelku za iskanje nafte pri Ministrstvu za naravne vire in infrastrukturo (Oil Exploration Department – Ministry for Resources and Infrastructure), Block B, Floriana CMR 02, Malta, telefonska številka (356) 21 23 79 21.

---

(1)  UL L 164, 30.6.1994, str. 3.

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Predhodna priglasitev koncentracije

(Št. primera COMP/M.3743 – DuPont/DDE)

Primer za poenostavljeni postopek

(2005/C 62/07)

(Besedilo velja za EGP)

| 1. | Dne 4. marca 2005 je Komisija prejela priglasitev predlagane koncentracije po členu 4 in na podlagi napotitve v skladu s členom 4(5) Uredbe Sveta (ES) št. 139/2004 (1), s katero podjetje E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company („DuPont“, ZDA) prevzema v smislu člena 3(1)(b) Uredbe Sveta nadzor nad deli podjetja DuPont Dow Elastomers L.L.C. („DDE“, ZDA) na podlagi nakupa delnic. |
| --- | --- |

1.

Dne 4. marca 2005 je Komisija prejela priglasitev predlagane koncentracije po členu 4 in na podlagi napotitve v skladu s členom 4(5) Uredbe Sveta (ES) št. 139/2004 (1), s katero podjetje E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company („DuPont“, ZDA) prevzema v smislu člena 3(1)(b) Uredbe Sveta nadzor nad deli podjetja DuPont Dow Elastomers L.L.C. („DDE“, ZDA) na podlagi nakupa delnic.

| 2. | Poslovne dejavnosti zadevnih podjetij so:






  — | za podjetje DuPont: podjetje z raznolikimi dejavnostmi po celem svetu - kmetijstvo, prehrana, elektronika, komunikacije, varnost in zaščita, dom in gradnja in prevoz; |
| --- | --- | --- |

2.

Poslovne dejavnosti zadevnih podjetij so:

—

za podjetje DuPont: podjetje z raznolikimi dejavnostmi po celem svetu - kmetijstvo, prehrana, elektronika, komunikacije, varnost in zaščita, dom in gradnja in prevoz;

| — | za podjetje DDE: raziskave, razvoj, proizvodnja in trženje elastomerov. |
| --- | --- |

—

za podjetje DDE: raziskave, razvoj, proizvodnja in trženje elastomerov.

| 3. | Po predhodnem pregledu Komisija ugotavlja, da bi priglašena transakcija lahko spadala v obseg Uredbe (ES) št. 139/2004, vendar končna odločitev o tem še ni podana. Na podlagi obvestila Komisije o poenostavljenem postopku obravnave nekaterih koncentracij po Uredbi Sveta (ES) št. 139/2004 (2) je treba opozoriti, da je ta primer primeren za obravnavo po postopku, določenem v obvestilu. |
| --- | --- |

3.

Po predhodnem pregledu Komisija ugotavlja, da bi priglašena transakcija lahko spadala v obseg Uredbe (ES) št. 139/2004, vendar končna odločitev o tem še ni podana. Na podlagi obvestila Komisije o poenostavljenem postopku obravnave nekaterih koncentracij po Uredbi Sveta (ES) št. 139/2004 (2) je treba opozoriti, da je ta primer primeren za obravnavo po postopku, določenem v obvestilu.

| 4. | Komisija vabi zainteresirane tretje osebe, da Komisiji predložijo svoje pripombe glede predlaganega postopka.
  Komisija mora prejeti pripombe najkasneje v 10 dneh po dnevu te objave. Pripombe pošljite Komisiji po faksu (št. faksa: (32-2) 296 43 01 ali 296 72 44) ali pošti pod sklicno številko COMP/M.3743 – DuPont/DDE na naslednji naslov:





  European Commission |
| --- | --- |
| Directorate-General for Competition, |
| Merger Registry |
| J-70 |
| B-1049 Bruxelles/Brussel |

4.

Komisija vabi zainteresirane tretje osebe, da Komisiji predložijo svoje pripombe glede predlaganega postopka.

Komisija mora prejeti pripombe najkasneje v 10 dneh po dnevu te objave. Pripombe pošljite Komisiji po faksu (št. faksa: (32-2) 296 43 01 ali 296 72 44) ali pošti pod sklicno številko COMP/M.3743 – DuPont/DDE na naslednji naslov:

European Commission

Directorate-General for Competition,

Merger Registry

J-70

B-1049 Bruxelles/Brussel

---

(1)  UL L 24, 29.1.2004, str. 1.

(2)  Dostopno na spletni strani DG COMP:

http://europa.eu.int/comm/competition/mergers/legislation/consultation/simplified_tru.pdf.

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| 12.3.2005 | SL | Uradni list Evropske unije | C 62/10 |
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12.3.2005

SL

Uradni list Evropske unije

C 62/10

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DRŽAVNE POMOČI – ZDRUŽENO KRALJESTVO

Državna pomoč C 4/2005 (prej NN 57/2004)

Davek od premoženja na telekomunikacijsko infrastrukturo

Poziv k predložitvi pripomb na podlagi člena 88(2) Pogodbe ES

(2005/C 62/08)

(Besedilo velja za EGP)

Z dopisom v verodostojnem jeziku z dne 19. januarja 2005 na straneh, ki sledijo temu povzetku, je Komisija uradno obvestila Združeno kraljestvo o svoji odločitvi, da začne postopek na podlagi člena 88(2) Pogodbe ES v zvezi z zgoraj navedeno pomočjo/ukrepom.

Zainteresirane stranke lahko predložijo svoje pripombe o ukrepu, v zvezi s katerim Komisija začenja postopek, v enem mesecu od datuma objave tega povzetka in dopisa, ki sledi, na naslednji naslov:

| European Commission |
| --- |
| Directorate-General for Competition |
| State-Aid Registry |
| B-1049 Brussels |
| Telefaks: (32-2) 296 12 42 |

European Commission

Directorate-General for Competition

State-Aid Registry

B-1049 Brussels

Telefaks: (32-2) 296 12 42

Te pripombe se posredujejo Združenemu kraljestvu. Zainteresirana stranka, ki predloži pripombe, lahko pisno zaprosi za zaupno obravnavo svoje identitete in navede razloge za to.

BESEDILO POVZETKA

Postopek

Telekomunikacijski operater Vtesse Networks Ltd iz Združenega kraljestva je februarja 2004 vložil pritožbo glede domnevne državne pomoči v obliki preferencialne davčne obravnave v korist prvotnega telekomunikacijskega operaterja British Telecom Plc („BT“). Na podlagi te pritožbe je Komisija od organov Združenega kraljestva zahtevala informacije in aprila 2004 prejela odgovor.

Opis ukrepa, v zvezi s katerim Komisija začenja postopek

Ukrep se nanaša na davek od premoženja na nepremičnine podjetja, vključno s telekomunikacijsko infrastrukturo, v Združenem kraljestvu. Osnovni predpis, ki v Angliji in Walesu ureja ta davčni režim, je Local Government Finance Act iz leta 1988. Ta zakon predvideva določitev vrednosti sredstev, ki predstavlja davčno osnovo, na katero se za izračun davčne obveznosti uporabi davčna stopnja. Davčna stopnja se določi letno in je enaka za vse telekomunikacijske operaterje. Vendar pa davčno stopnjo za vse operaterje določi Valuation Office Agency („VOA“), izvajalska agencija centralne ravni države, ki uporablja različne metode vrednotenja z možnostjo pritožbe. Za BT in Kingston Communications (prvotni operater v regiji Hull) VOA uporablja določeno metodo vrednotenja sredstev, ki se razlikuje od metode, ki jo uporablja za tožnika in druge konkurenčne ponudnike telekomunikacijskih storitev. Zdi se, da se davčna obremenitev zaradi uporabe različnih metod med konkurenčnimi podjetji na telekomunikacijskem trgu razlikuje in je nesorazmerna.

Ovrednotenje

V skladu z Obvestilom Komisije o uporabi pravil o državni pomoči za ukrepe, ki zadevajo neposredno obdavčitev ustvarjenega dohodka (UL C 384/3-9 z dne 10.12.98), lahko davčne ugodnosti, omejene na določene vrste podjetij, kolikor dajejo prednost nekaterim podjetjem ali proizvodnji posameznega blaga, predstavljajo državno pomoč. Zmanjšanje davčne osnove in posledično ravni obdavčenja, ki se uporablja za BT in Kingston, daje tema podjetjema selektivno prednost, ker znižuje stroške, ki bi jih le-ti običajno imeli pri opravljanju svojih dejavnosti. Glede na to, da je telekomunikacijski trg Združenega kraljestva odprt za konkurenco, lahko ugodnosti, ki so bile dodeljene BT in Kingston Communications, izkrivljajo konkurenco in vplivajo na trgovino. Zdi se, da so pogoji za obravnavo ukrepa kot državno pomoč v skladu s členom 87(1) ES izpolnjeni.

Vendar pa je v tej fazi postopka Komisija sklenila, da so organi Združenega kraljestva lahko dodelili državno pomoč BT in Kingston Communications v smislu člena 87(1) ES. Medtem ko je obstoj pomoči v primerih, ko je preferencialna obravnava upravičena zaradi narave in splošne sheme sistema, mogoče izključiti, v tem primeru Komisija dvomi, da je to upravičeno na podlagi bistvenih značilnosti in logike davčnega sistema.

Zdi se, da se odstopanja iz člena 87(2) in (3) ES ne morejo uporabiti. Zaradi dvomov glede združljivosti pomoči s Pogodbo ES se je Komisija odločila, da začne formalni postopek preiskave iz člena 88(2) Pogodbe ES. V skladu s členom 14 Uredbe Sveta (ES) št. 659/1999 se lahko vse nezakonite pomoči izterjajo od prejemnika.

BESEDILO DOPISA

| „1. | The Commission wishes to inform the United Kingdom that, having examined the information supplied by your authorities in relation to the measure referred to above, it has decided to initiate the procedure laid down in Article 88(2) of the EC Treaty. |
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„1.

The Commission wishes to inform the United Kingdom that, having examined the information supplied by your authorities in relation to the measure referred to above, it has decided to initiate the procedure laid down in Article 88(2) of the EC Treaty.

1.   PROCEDURE

| 2. | On 17 February 2004 (A/31115) the Commission registered a complaint from Vtesse Networks Ltd (‚Vtesse‘), a UK telecommunications operator, concerning alleged preferential tax treatment in favour of British Telecom plc (‚BT‘), the incumbent telecommunications operator. Additional information was received from the complainant on 23 March 2004, 29 March 2004, 30 March 2004, 30 June 2004, 1 July 2004, 27 July 2004 and 11 October 2004. A meeting with the complainant was held on 30 June 2004 to further clarify the technical details of the information submitted. |
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2.

On 17 February 2004 (A/31115) the Commission registered a complaint from Vtesse Networks Ltd (‚Vtesse‘), a UK telecommunications operator, concerning alleged preferential tax treatment in favour of British Telecom plc (‚BT‘), the incumbent telecommunications operator. Additional information was received from the complainant on 23 March 2004, 29 March 2004, 30 March 2004, 30 June 2004, 1 July 2004, 27 July 2004 and 11 October 2004. A meeting with the complainant was held on 30 June 2004 to further clarify the technical details of the information submitted.

| 3. | The Commission also received on 28 April 2004 (A/33044) a letter from the UK Competitive Telecommunications Association (‚UKCTA‘), a trade association representing the interests of fixed-line telecommunications companies competing with BT, substantiating some of the issues brought forward by the complaint. |
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3.

The Commission also received on 28 April 2004 (A/33044) a letter from the UK Competitive Telecommunications Association (‚UKCTA‘), a trade association representing the interests of fixed-line telecommunications companies competing with BT, substantiating some of the issues brought forward by the complaint.

| 4. | On 16 March 2004 (D/51920) the Commission sent a request for information to the UK, which was answered on 23 April 2004 (A/32924). The UK authorities submitted additional information on 11 October 2004 (A/37753). |
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4.

On 16 March 2004 (D/51920) the Commission sent a request for information to the UK, which was answered on 23 April 2004 (A/32924). The UK authorities submitted additional information on 11 October 2004 (A/37753).

| 5. | Finally, the Commission has received letters dated 19 November 2004 (A/38972) and 30 November 2004 (A/39285) from BT submitting their views on the issue. |
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5.

Finally, the Commission has received letters dated 19 November 2004 (A/38972) and 30 November 2004 (A/39285) from BT submitting their views on the issue.

2.   BACKGROUND

2.1.   Rating system

| 6. | ‚Business rates‘ are a UK property tax levied on non-domestic property (1). Its aim is to contribute towards the cost of services provided by Local Authorities (2). The primary regulation on non-domestic rating in England and Wales is the Local Government Finance Act (‚LGFA‘) 1988 (3). In addition, a number of statutory instruments govern the implementation of the system. |
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6.

‚Business rates‘ are a UK property tax levied on non-domestic property (1). Its aim is to contribute towards the cost of services provided by Local Authorities (2). The primary regulation on non-domestic rating in England and Wales is the Local Government Finance Act (‚LGFA‘) 1988 (3). In addition, a number of statutory instruments govern the implementation of the system.

| 7. | Most properties are entered on so-called ‚Local Rating Lists‘, i.e. the rating lists of the authorities in whose territory the properties are located. However, since properties such as telecommunications infrastructure extend beyond the boundaries of a single local authority, their valuations are typically entered on the so-called ‚Central Rating List‘, which exists for England and Wales (4). The rate payments made are then redistributed to the local authorities in proportion to their populations. |
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7.

Most properties are entered on so-called ‚Local Rating Lists‘, i.e. the rating lists of the authorities in whose territory the properties are located. However, since properties such as telecommunications infrastructure extend beyond the boundaries of a single local authority, their valuations are typically entered on the so-called ‚Central Rating List‘, which exists for England and Wales (4). The rate payments made are then redistributed to the local authorities in proportion to their populations.

| 8. | The tax rate, the so called ‚multiplier‘, which applies equally to all business properties, is determined annually by the Secretary of State (5) and applies equally to all operators. It was set at 44,4 % of the rateable hereditament (6) for the fiscal year 2003/4 (7). |
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8.

The tax rate, the so called ‚multiplier‘, which applies equally to all business properties, is determined annually by the Secretary of State (5) and applies equally to all operators. It was set at 44,4 % of the rateable hereditament (6) for the fiscal year 2003/4 (7).

| 9. | The base of this tax, the so called ‚rateable values‘ in England and Wales, are determined by the Valuation Office Agency (‚VOA‘), an executive agency of the Inland Revenue, part of central government (8). The VOA is responsible for valuing the assets and including them on the ‚Rating Lists‘. Revaluations are held every five years, so the rateable values determined on 1 April 1998 (so called ‚antecedent valuation date‘) apply to the current five year period of 2000-05. Valuations completed on 1 April 2003 will apply for the next period of 2005-10 (9). |
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9.

The base of this tax, the so called ‚rateable values‘ in England and Wales, are determined by the Valuation Office Agency (‚VOA‘), an executive agency of the Inland Revenue, part of central government (8). The VOA is responsible for valuing the assets and including them on the ‚Rating Lists‘. Revaluations are held every five years, so the rateable values determined on 1 April 1998 (so called ‚antecedent valuation date‘) apply to the current five year period of 2000-05. Valuations completed on 1 April 2003 will apply for the next period of 2005-10 (9).

| 10. | The property unit as valued for rating purposes is called the ‚rateable hereditament‘ and includes land, buildings and rateable plant and machinery (10). Liability for the rates falls on the person in occupation of the rateable hereditament, i.e. the person who is in ‚paramount control‘ of the assets. According to the VOA, there has to be an actual, exclusive and non transient occupation, which brings commercial benefits to the occupier (11). According to the complainant, in relation to rateable occupation of buildings, which constitute the majority of UK rateable hereditaments, the test is ‚he who turns on the lights pays the rates‘. |
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10.

The property unit as valued for rating purposes is called the ‚rateable hereditament‘ and includes land, buildings and rateable plant and machinery (10). Liability for the rates falls on the person in occupation of the rateable hereditament, i.e. the person who is in ‚paramount control‘ of the assets. According to the VOA, there has to be an actual, exclusive and non transient occupation, which brings commercial benefits to the occupier (11). According to the complainant, in relation to rateable occupation of buildings, which constitute the majority of UK rateable hereditaments, the test is ‚he who turns on the lights pays the rates‘.

2.2.   Rating of telecommunications

| 11. | Business rates are also levied on telecommunications infrastructure. The Plant and Machinery Regulation (‚Regulation‘) 2000 (12) stipulates that plant and machinery that are rateable for telecommunications infrastructure are ‚cables, fibres, wires, conductors or any system of such items, or any part of such items or such system, used or intended to be used in connection with the transmission of communications signals, and which are considered in the equipment of and are situated within premises‘ (13). Plants and machinery not specifically described in the Regulation, such as for example telecommunications switching and transmission equipment, are not rateable (14). |
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11.

Business rates are also levied on telecommunications infrastructure. The Plant and Machinery Regulation (‚Regulation‘) 2000 (12) stipulates that plant and machinery that are rateable for telecommunications infrastructure are ‚cables, fibres, wires, conductors or any system of such items, or any part of such items or such system, used or intended to be used in connection with the transmission of communications signals, and which are considered in the equipment of and are situated within premises‘ (13). Plants and machinery not specifically described in the Regulation, such as for example telecommunications switching and transmission equipment, are not rateable (14).

| 12. | Telecommunications property has been subject to business rates since 1855 when telegraph poles on railways were deemed to be liable for rates (15), to be followed in 1969 by the telephones belonging to the Post Office (‚PO‘) (16). Following the split-up of the PO and the privatisation of BT in 1984, this tax was also levied on the latter's infrastructure, as well as on that of Mercury Communications (17), BT's only competitor during the duopoly situation of the 1980s. Initially, the tax amount payable was determined by applying a prescribed ‚standard formula‘ (18). |
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12.

Telecommunications property has been subject to business rates since 1855 when telegraph poles on railways were deemed to be liable for rates (15), to be followed in 1969 by the telephones belonging to the Post Office (‚PO‘) (16). Following the split-up of the PO and the privatisation of BT in 1984, this tax was also levied on the latter's infrastructure, as well as on that of Mercury Communications (17), BT's only competitor during the duopoly situation of the 1980s. Initially, the tax amount payable was determined by applying a prescribed ‚standard formula‘ (18).

| 13. | When the telecommunications industry was gradually opened up to competition starting in 1992, the tax was levied on all telecommunications infrastructure, including that belonging to cable television companies, public utilities and other competitive providers entering the telecom market. The LGFA 1988 laid down the legal basis of the system, which foresaw a valuation of rateable hereditament, with a possibility to appeal, to determine the base of the business rates tax (19). |
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13.

When the telecommunications industry was gradually opened up to competition starting in 1992, the tax was levied on all telecommunications infrastructure, including that belonging to cable television companies, public utilities and other competitive providers entering the telecom market. The LGFA 1988 laid down the legal basis of the system, which foresaw a valuation of rateable hereditament, with a possibility to appeal, to determine the base of the business rates tax (19).

| 14. | As new technological solutions appeared, those too were submitted to the business rates tax regime. For instance, fibre optic long distance and metropolitan area networks were added in the late 1990s (20). Fibre optic services involve three different levels of assets: (i) the duct, (ii) the ‚dark‘ fibre and (iii) the ‚lit‘ fibre. It is the current policy of the VOA to only rate fibres from when they are lit and carry traffic. Ducts are rateable items, but only when used or intended to be used in connection with fibres, wires and cables. Consequently, empty ducts and dark (unlit) fibres are not rated. |
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14.

As new technological solutions appeared, those too were submitted to the business rates tax regime. For instance, fibre optic long distance and metropolitan area networks were added in the late 1990s (20). Fibre optic services involve three different levels of assets: (i) the duct, (ii) the ‚dark‘ fibre and (iii) the ‚lit‘ fibre. It is the current policy of the VOA to only rate fibres from when they are lit and carry traffic. Ducts are rateable items, but only when used or intended to be used in connection with fibres, wires and cables. Consequently, empty ducts and dark (unlit) fibres are not rated.

2.3.   Valuation

| 15. | The LGFA 1988 laid down the legal basis of the system to be applied in the new market environment. Schedule 6 of the Act foresees a valuation of rateable hereditament to determine the base of the business rates tax. The objective of the valuation is to make a proportionate assessment of the annual rental value for a property if it is available on the market (21). If rental evidence is not available, the objective is to calculate the amount a hypothetical tenant would pay in rent to a hypothetical landlord for the actual hereditament. |
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15.

The LGFA 1988 laid down the legal basis of the system to be applied in the new market environment. Schedule 6 of the Act foresees a valuation of rateable hereditament to determine the base of the business rates tax. The objective of the valuation is to make a proportionate assessment of the annual rental value for a property if it is available on the market (21). If rental evidence is not available, the objective is to calculate the amount a hypothetical tenant would pay in rent to a hypothetical landlord for the actual hereditament.

| 16. | Since a specific method for valuing telecommunications networks is not prescribed, the VOA has a choice of four methods for calculating the ‚rateable value‘ of assets. According to the VOA, there is an accepted hierarchy between the possible methods depending on the individual circumstances and the evidence available:






  (a) | First, if there is rental evidence of the property then the ‚Rental‘ method is to be used, i.e. the price at which the property is let. |
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16.

Since a specific method for valuing telecommunications networks is not prescribed, the VOA has a choice of four methods for calculating the ‚rateable value‘ of assets. According to the VOA, there is an accepted hierarchy between the possible methods depending on the individual circumstances and the evidence available:

(a)

First, if there is rental evidence of the property then the ‚Rental‘ method is to be used, i.e. the price at which the property is let.

| (b) | Second, if direct rental evidence is not available, a comparison with the rental evidence of other comparable properties can be made. This method is called ‚Tone of the List‘, basically referring to a benchmarking exercise. |
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(b)

Second, if direct rental evidence is not available, a comparison with the rental evidence of other comparable properties can be made. This method is called ‚Tone of the List‘, basically referring to a benchmarking exercise.

| (c) | Third, a ‚Receipts and Expenditure‘(‚R&E‘) method is to be applied for properties which are seldom let, typically utilities. It calculates the hypothetical annual rental value by examining the receipts and expenditures to arrive at a net profit, the so called ‚divisible balance‘. The rateable value is determined by deducting the return required by a tenant on his capital (‚tenant's share‘) from the divisible balance to arrive at the hypothetical rent (‚landlord's share‘) (22). |
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(c)

Third, a ‚Receipts and Expenditure‘(‚R&E‘) method is to be applied for properties which are seldom let, typically utilities. It calculates the hypothetical annual rental value by examining the receipts and expenditures to arrive at a net profit, the so called ‚divisible balance‘. The rateable value is determined by deducting the return required by a tenant on his capital (‚tenant's share‘) from the divisible balance to arrive at the hypothetical rent (‚landlord's share‘) (22).

| (d) | Fourth, one can resort to the ‚Contractor's Basis‘ method. This method arrives at the rental value by estimating the decapitalised (23) costs of constructing a similar hereditament adjusted for age and obsolescence, by looking at the cost of the capital which would need to be raised to finance the build-out, i.e. the interest that one would need to pay for a loan or the foregone interest if one's own capital is used (24). |
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(d)

Fourth, one can resort to the ‚Contractor's Basis‘ method. This method arrives at the rental value by estimating the decapitalised (23) costs of constructing a similar hereditament adjusted for age and obsolescence, by looking at the cost of the capital which would need to be raised to finance the build-out, i.e. the interest that one would need to pay for a loan or the foregone interest if one's own capital is used (24).

3.   DESCRIPTION OF THE MEASURE

3.1.   British Telecommunications

Valuations

| 17. | 1995-2000 period: The VOA applied the ‚Receipts and Expenditure‘ method to BT. Accordingly, BT's tax liability for the period of 1995-2000 was determined by a valuation based on the ‚R&E‘ method undertaken by the VOA, as subsequently adjusted following a negotiated settlement with BT who appealed against the original valuation at the Central London Valuation Tribunal, which is a technical tribunal. The case was also due to be heard by the Lands Tribunal, a UK court, when BT and the VOA reached a settlement. |
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17.

1995-2000 period: The VOA applied the ‚Receipts and Expenditure‘ method to BT. Accordingly, BT's tax liability for the period of 1995-2000 was determined by a valuation based on the ‚R&E‘ method undertaken by the VOA, as subsequently adjusted following a negotiated settlement with BT who appealed against the original valuation at the Central London Valuation Tribunal, which is a technical tribunal. The case was also due to be heard by the Lands Tribunal, a UK court, when BT and the VOA reached a settlement.

| 18. | The detailed inputs into the economic model forming the basis of the original valuation by the VOA using the ‚R&E‘ method and the content of the subsequent adjustments made following the negotiations with BT (who have constructed their own model based on the ‚Contractor's basis‘ method) are at this stage not available to the Commission and their transmission necessitates, according to the UK authorities, BT's consent. The outcome was an agreement between the VOA and BT, which set the rateable value of BT's assets at GBP 470 million for the fiscal year 1995/96 (25). Applying the 1995/96 multiplier of 43,2 % to this rateable value, BT's tax liability is estimated to equal about GBP 203 million for this period, which represented approximately 2 % of BT's relevant annual revenues (26). |
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18.

The detailed inputs into the economic model forming the basis of the original valuation by the VOA using the ‚R&E‘ method and the content of the subsequent adjustments made following the negotiations with BT (who have constructed their own model based on the ‚Contractor's basis‘ method) are at this stage not available to the Commission and their transmission necessitates, according to the UK authorities, BT's consent. The outcome was an agreement between the VOA and BT, which set the rateable value of BT's assets at GBP 470 million for the fiscal year 1995/96 (25). Applying the 1995/96 multiplier of 43,2 % to this rateable value, BT's tax liability is estimated to equal about GBP 203 million for this period, which represented approximately 2 % of BT's relevant annual revenues (26).

| 19. | 2000-2005 period: For the 2000 revaluation, applicable for the period of 2000-2005, the VOA settled BT's asset valuation at GBP 493 million (27). The 2000 value was based on the principles and values agreed at the same time the 1995 list agreement was concluded (28). |
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19.

2000-2005 period: For the 2000 revaluation, applicable for the period of 2000-2005, the VOA settled BT's asset valuation at GBP 493 million (27). The 2000 value was based on the principles and values agreed at the same time the 1995 list agreement was concluded (28).

Revisions

| 20. | In principle, a review of the system only takes place every five years. According to the UK authorities, when applying the ‚R&E‘ method to BT, economic modelling was used to estimate the prospects of changes to the level of receipts over a period of five years, and an ‚equated‘ level of receipts and expenditure was estimated as being representative of the five year period. This increased the level of certainty regarding BT's tax liabilities, as highlighted by the fact that the 1995 valuation also served as a basis for determining the 2000 values and as such conferred a de facto 10 year certainty upon BT. |
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20.

In principle, a review of the system only takes place every five years. According to the UK authorities, when applying the ‚R&E‘ method to BT, economic modelling was used to estimate the prospects of changes to the level of receipts over a period of five years, and an ‚equated‘ level of receipts and expenditure was estimated as being representative of the five year period. This increased the level of certainty regarding BT's tax liabilities, as highlighted by the fact that the 1995 valuation also served as a basis for determining the 2000 values and as such conferred a de facto 10 year certainty upon BT.

| 21. | Moreover, subsequent downward revisions have been made to the 1995 valuation, to reflect the loss of market share of the company in the UK fixed telecommunications market resulting from the physical roll-out of competing telecommunications systems. In practice, these revisions meant for instance a decrease of an estimated 22 % in the value of the rateable hereditament in 1999/00 compared to 1995/96, resulting in a reduction in BT's tax liability over the same period. According to the authorities, such revisions are in line with the LGFA 1988 provisions which allow alterations to reflect changes in the physical state and enjoyment of the network (29). To the Commission's knowledge, no similar upward adjustment has been made to reflect possible extensions or upgrades of the network. |
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21.

Moreover, subsequent downward revisions have been made to the 1995 valuation, to reflect the loss of market share of the company in the UK fixed telecommunications market resulting from the physical roll-out of competing telecommunications systems. In practice, these revisions meant for instance a decrease of an estimated 22 % in the value of the rateable hereditament in 1999/00 compared to 1995/96, resulting in a reduction in BT's tax liability over the same period. According to the authorities, such revisions are in line with the LGFA 1988 provisions which allow alterations to reflect changes in the physical state and enjoyment of the network (29). To the Commission's knowledge, no similar upward adjustment has been made to reflect possible extensions or upgrades of the network.

3.2.   Kingston Communications

| 22. | Kingston Communications (Hull) plc is the incumbent telecommunications operator in the region of Hull (30). During the privatisation of the telecommunications networks in the UK in the late 1980s, the network in Hull remained State owned and the property of the municipality. Part of it was then sold to the public in 1999 with the Hull City Council remaining the only substantial single shareholder (31). |
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22.

Kingston Communications (Hull) plc is the incumbent telecommunications operator in the region of Hull (30). During the privatisation of the telecommunications networks in the UK in the late 1980s, the network in Hull remained State owned and the property of the municipality. Part of it was then sold to the public in 1999 with the Hull City Council remaining the only substantial single shareholder (31).

| 23. | The Commission has at this stage no information about the results of its valuation and hence the taxes it has been liable for. However, according to the UK authorities, the only other operator valued by the full ‚R&E‘ method since 1995 is Kingston Communications in Hull. |
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23.

The Commission has at this stage no information about the results of its valuation and hence the taxes it has been liable for. However, according to the UK authorities, the only other operator valued by the full ‚R&E‘ method since 1995 is Kingston Communications in Hull.

3.3.   Vtesse

Valuations

| 24. | Vtesse is a ‚fibre to the business‘ service provider offering high-capacity retail leased lines, currently ranging from 25Mbits/s to 32Mbits/s, mainly supplied to large corporate users. |
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24.

Vtesse is a ‚fibre to the business‘ service provider offering high-capacity retail leased lines, currently ranging from 25Mbits/s to 32Mbits/s, mainly supplied to large corporate users.

| 25. | According to Vtesse, these products de facto compete with BT's 10Mbits/s and above leased line offers. In order to connect its customers, Vtesse leases ‚dark‘ fibre from other backbone operators and complements this with their own built infrastructure. The property rented, i.e. the dark fibre, which is then lit, is included in the ‚rateable hereditament‘ of Vtesse. The VOA has decided to rate Vtesse based on the ‚Tone of the List‘ method which establishes the ‚rateable value‘ of a kilometre of fibre route (consisting of a fibre pair), which is then applied each time new fibre is rented and lit. This is the method generally used for other competitive providers as well. |
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25.

According to Vtesse, these products de facto compete with BT's 10Mbits/s and above leased line offers. In order to connect its customers, Vtesse leases ‚dark‘ fibre from other backbone operators and complements this with their own built infrastructure. The property rented, i.e. the dark fibre, which is then lit, is included in the ‚rateable hereditament‘ of Vtesse. The VOA has decided to rate Vtesse based on the ‚Tone of the List‘ method which establishes the ‚rateable value‘ of a kilometre of fibre route (consisting of a fibre pair), which is then applied each time new fibre is rented and lit. This is the method generally used for other competitive providers as well.

| 26. | Based on benchmarks of actual rates paid, the VOA has set the tone rate for one kilometre route of fibre at GBP 1,200/km for the London metropolitan area and GBP 1,000/km in other parts of the country. In addition, in 2001 a so called ‚oversupply allowance‘ was granted by the VOA to fibre providers assessed by the ‚Tone of the list‘ method (32) equalling a 15 % discount on the rateable value effective as of 1 April 2001 and 25 % as of 1 April 2002 (33). According to the complainant, this was a one-off measure taking into account the chronic over-investment in fibre during the telecommunications boom and the subsequent drastic reduction in value of telecommunications networks. Accordingly, Vtesse's tax liability was around 7 % of its recurring revenues in 2003/04, and is expected to be about 10 % for 2004/05 (34). According to UKCTA, business rates paid by other competitive providers represent a similar percentage of their revenues to that of Vtesse. |
| --- | --- |

26.

Based on benchmarks of actual rates paid, the VOA has set the tone rate for one kilometre route of fibre at GBP 1,200/km for the London metropolitan area and GBP 1,000/km in other parts of the country. In addition, in 2001 a so called ‚oversupply allowance‘ was granted by the VOA to fibre providers assessed by the ‚Tone of the list‘ method (32) equalling a 15 % discount on the rateable value effective as of 1 April 2001 and 25 % as of 1 April 2002 (33). According to the complainant, this was a one-off measure taking into account the chronic over-investment in fibre during the telecommunications boom and the subsequent drastic reduction in value of telecommunications networks. Accordingly, Vtesse's tax liability was around 7 % of its recurring revenues in 2003/04, and is expected to be about 10 % for 2004/05 (34). According to UKCTA, business rates paid by other competitive providers represent a similar percentage of their revenues to that of Vtesse.

Revisions

| 27. | While the tone rate is set at the beginning of the five year period, the tone of a kilometre route of fibre is applied each time new fibre is rented and lit. Vtesse has the obligation to regularly inform the VOA of extension to its network so that the valuation of its hereditament can be adjusted. As a consequence, whenever it procures fibre to provide services to its customers, it is liable for rates that may equal up to 20-30 % of the recurring revenues of a new contract. |
| --- | --- |

27.

While the tone rate is set at the beginning of the five year period, the tone of a kilometre route of fibre is applied each time new fibre is rented and lit. Vtesse has the obligation to regularly inform the VOA of extension to its network so that the valuation of its hereditament can be adjusted. As a consequence, whenever it procures fibre to provide services to its customers, it is liable for rates that may equal up to 20-30 % of the recurring revenues of a new contract.

3.4.   Other operators

| 28. | Mercury Communications (later Cable and Wireless, ‚C&W‘) was the first company to establish a nationwide telecommunications infrastructure to rival BT in the early 1980s, during the so called duopoly period. In May 2000, C&W was divided into two businesses: the residential telephony, cable and internet access part was sold to cable TV operator ntl, while C&W retained the UK corporate internet access business and was renamed C&W UK. With the full liberalisation of the market in the 1990s, C&W UK became an alternative telecoms provider competing with several other players in the market (35). Originally C&W was valued just like BT by a prescribed formulae. However, it is unclear for the Commission which valuation method is currently used for C&W UK. |
| --- | --- |

28.

Mercury Communications (later Cable and Wireless, ‚C&W‘) was the first company to establish a nationwide telecommunications infrastructure to rival BT in the early 1980s, during the so called duopoly period. In May 2000, C&W was divided into two businesses: the residential telephony, cable and internet access part was sold to cable TV operator ntl, while C&W retained the UK corporate internet access business and was renamed C&W UK. With the full liberalisation of the market in the 1990s, C&W UK became an alternative telecoms provider competing with several other players in the market (35). Originally C&W was valued just like BT by a prescribed formulae. However, it is unclear for the Commission which valuation method is currently used for C&W UK.

| 29. | Regarding other operators active on the UK market, it is the Commission's understanding that they are valued based on the ‚Rental‘ or the ‚Tone of the List‘ method (36). According to UKCTA, alternative telecoms operators typically pay two or three times the tax, expressed as a percentage of revenues, than BT. However, the Commission currently is not in possession of exact data concerning business rates tax liabilities and relevant revenues of alternative telecommunications operators. |
| --- | --- |

29.

Regarding other operators active on the UK market, it is the Commission's understanding that they are valued based on the ‚Rental‘ or the ‚Tone of the List‘ method (36). According to UKCTA, alternative telecoms operators typically pay two or three times the tax, expressed as a percentage of revenues, than BT. However, the Commission currently is not in possession of exact data concerning business rates tax liabilities and relevant revenues of alternative telecommunications operators.

4.   COMPLAINT AND COMMENTS

| 30. | The complainant has raised the following specific claims and concerns:






  (a) | Choice of methods:
  If BT was valued using the ‚Rental‘ or ‚Tone of the List‘ methods as is used for Vtesse, it would end-up with a substantially higher and more proportionate tax liability. It questions why the ‚Rental‘ or ‚Tone of the List‘ methods are not used for BT. |
| --- | --- | --- |

30.

The complainant has raised the following specific claims and concerns:

(a)

Choice of methods:
  If BT was valued using the ‚Rental‘ or ‚Tone of the List‘ methods as is used for Vtesse, it would end-up with a substantially higher and more proportionate tax liability. It questions why the ‚Rental‘ or ‚Tone of the List‘ methods are not used for BT.

| (b) | Adjustments:
  In any case, the various methods should in principle yield similar results if appropriate adjustments were made. The complainant doubts whether such adjustments are made in the process of BT's valuations, given the different results. |
| --- | --- |

(b)

Adjustments:
  In any case, the various methods should in principle yield similar results if appropriate adjustments were made. The complainant doubts whether such adjustments are made in the process of BT's valuations, given the different results.

| (c) | Downward revisions:
  There is no downward revision in the valuation of competitors similar to that foreseen for BT to account for their eventual loss of market share or change in network topology. |
| --- | --- |

(c)

Downward revisions:
  There is no downward revision in the valuation of competitors similar to that foreseen for BT to account for their eventual loss of market share or change in network topology.

| (d) | Upward revisions:
  There does not seem to be a systematic upward revision of BT's valuation either, should the value of its assets increase. At the same time, Vtesse is charged incrementally, which causes an increase in the recurring price it can offer to its customers, whenever it leases new fibre, and lights this fibre to serve them. The complainant claims to have lost several contracts to BT by a small margin due to the incremental tax burden it is obliged to include in its price bid versus BT who has no such incremental burden. |
| --- | --- |

(d)

Upward revisions:
  There does not seem to be a systematic upward revision of BT's valuation either, should the value of its assets increase. At the same time, Vtesse is charged incrementally, which causes an increase in the recurring price it can offer to its customers, whenever it leases new fibre, and lights this fibre to serve them. The complainant claims to have lost several contracts to BT by a small margin due to the incremental tax burden it is obliged to include in its price bid versus BT who has no such incremental burden.

| (e) | Discretionary powers
  : The rating values and the valuation methods can be appealed, subject to time limits. Once an appeal has been made, typically negotiations are held to agree on an appropriate value. If no agreement is reached, it is referred to the relevant Valuation Tribunal, and at a second stage to the Lands Tribunal for determination. However, in most cases a negotiated settlement is reached. According to the complainant, the settlement signed with BT in 1995 gives the incumbent preferential treatment. |
| --- | --- |

(e)

Discretionary powers
  : The rating values and the valuation methods can be appealed, subject to time limits. Once an appeal has been made, typically negotiations are held to agree on an appropriate value. If no agreement is reached, it is referred to the relevant Valuation Tribunal, and at a second stage to the Lands Tribunal for determination. However, in most cases a negotiated settlement is reached. According to the complainant, the settlement signed with BT in 1995 gives the incumbent preferential treatment.

| 31. | It should be noted that UKCTA (37), representing various competitive telecom operators, as well as other operators' groupings, (38) have also expressed criticism to the UK authorities concerning, among others:






  — | the inappropriateness of applying a rating system, which was originally designed to assess buildings, to telecommunications infrastructure, including its infrequent revisions; |
| --- | --- | --- |

31.

It should be noted that UKCTA (37), representing various competitive telecom operators, as well as other operators' groupings, (38) have also expressed criticism to the UK authorities concerning, among others:

—

the inappropriateness of applying a rating system, which was originally designed to assess buildings, to telecommunications infrastructure, including its infrequent revisions;

| — | the asymmetry of the valuation, in which different methods are applied to operators involved in the same activity, i.e. delivering telecom services, with special regard to the distinct treatment of the incumbents; |
| --- | --- |

—

the asymmetry of the valuation, in which different methods are applied to operators involved in the same activity, i.e. delivering telecom services, with special regard to the distinct treatment of the incumbents;

| — | the disproportionate results yielded by the use of such differential methods, i.e. BT is estimated to pay about 2-4 % of revenues (39), while its competitors typically pay several times this proportion. |
| --- | --- |

—

the disproportionate results yielded by the use of such differential methods, i.e. BT is estimated to pay about 2-4 % of revenues (39), while its competitors typically pay several times this proportion.

| 32. | In response to the concerns of the industry, the UK Department of Trade and Industry, in association with the Office of the Prime Minister, OFCOM (the sector regulator) and the VOA, has appointed a contractor to review the rating system as it applies to telecommunications companies, including possible effects on competition. The expert was due to report back during the summer of 2004. However, according to the UK authorities, due to last minute unforeseen circumstances, this report has not yet been completed and could not be published. |
| --- | --- |

32.

In response to the concerns of the industry, the UK Department of Trade and Industry, in association with the Office of the Prime Minister, OFCOM (the sector regulator) and the VOA, has appointed a contractor to review the rating system as it applies to telecommunications companies, including possible effects on competition. The expert was due to report back during the summer of 2004. However, according to the UK authorities, due to last minute unforeseen circumstances, this report has not yet been completed and could not be published.

5.   ASSESSMENT

5.1.   Existence of aid

| 33. | According to Article 87(1) of the EC Treaty any State aid granted by a Member State or through State resources in any form whatsoever which distorts competition or threatens to distort competition by favouring certain undertakings or the production of certain goods shall, in so far as it affects trade between Member States, be incompatible with the common market. According to the Commission's notice on the application of the State aid rules to measures relating to direct business taxation, tax benefits restricted to certain types of undertakings, insofar as they favour certain undertakings or the production of certain goods, may constitute State aid (40). |
| --- | --- |

33.

According to Article 87(1) of the EC Treaty any State aid granted by a Member State or through State resources in any form whatsoever which distorts competition or threatens to distort competition by favouring certain undertakings or the production of certain goods shall, in so far as it affects trade between Member States, be incompatible with the common market. According to the Commission's notice on the application of the State aid rules to measures relating to direct business taxation, tax benefits restricted to certain types of undertakings, insofar as they favour certain undertakings or the production of certain goods, may constitute State aid (40).

State resources

| 34. | In applying Community rules, State resources can be in ‚any form whatsoever‘, including tax measures such as a reduction in the tax base. If and when there is a reduction in a tax burden compared to the general system, State resources are at stake. The relative reduction of the business rates tax burden lowers the tax revenues of local authorities and hence is equivalent to the use of State resources in the form of fiscal expenditure. |
| --- | --- |

34.

In applying Community rules, State resources can be in ‚any form whatsoever‘, including tax measures such as a reduction in the tax base. If and when there is a reduction in a tax burden compared to the general system, State resources are at stake. The relative reduction of the business rates tax burden lowers the tax revenues of local authorities and hence is equivalent to the use of State resources in the form of fiscal expenditure.

Selective advantage

| 35. | A reduction in the tax base, and consequently the level of taxation, that a telecommunications operator is liable for, confers an advantage upon that undertaking in that it reduces the costs that that undertaking would normally bear in the course of its business. This seems to be the case for BT and Kingston Communications, which benefit from a reduced tax base compared to other operators. |
| --- | --- |

35.

A reduction in the tax base, and consequently the level of taxation, that a telecommunications operator is liable for, confers an advantage upon that undertaking in that it reduces the costs that that undertaking would normally bear in the course of its business. This seems to be the case for BT and Kingston Communications, which benefit from a reduced tax base compared to other operators.

| 36. | The reasons behind this discriminatory taxation appear to be the application of a particular asset valuation method to BT and Kingston Communications, while applying a different method to other operators. Even if the method applied, including the corresponding revision mechanism, is foreseen in the relevant legislation as one of the possible approaches, the non-uniformity of the system and the discretionary powers given to the VOA to apply the general provisions to specific operators, while deciding to treat other operators differently, may lead to a selective advantage to a certain undertaking, while disadvantaging others who compete on the same market. |
| --- | --- |

36.

The reasons behind this discriminatory taxation appear to be the application of a particular asset valuation method to BT and Kingston Communications, while applying a different method to other operators. Even if the method applied, including the corresponding revision mechanism, is foreseen in the relevant legislation as one of the possible approaches, the non-uniformity of the system and the discretionary powers given to the VOA to apply the general provisions to specific operators, while deciding to treat other operators differently, may lead to a selective advantage to a certain undertaking, while disadvantaging others who compete on the same market.

| 37. | The justifications given by the UK authorities for applying the ‚Receipt and Expenditure‘ method to BT are:






  (a) | Asset ownership:
  BT owns 98 % of its infrastructure and does not pay rent for it which could serve as a basis for the ‚Rental‘ method. |
| --- | --- | --- |

37.

The justifications given by the UK authorities for applying the ‚Receipt and Expenditure‘ method to BT are:

(a)

Asset ownership:
  BT owns 98 % of its infrastructure and does not pay rent for it which could serve as a basis for the ‚Rental‘ method.

| (b) | Size and diversity of infrastructure:
  There is no network as large, or nearly as large, and as diverse as BT's. There are no comparable operators whose rental values could serve as benchmarks. |
| --- | --- |

(b)

Size and diversity of infrastructure:
  There is no network as large, or nearly as large, and as diverse as BT's. There are no comparable operators whose rental values could serve as benchmarks.

| (c) | The necessity to value ‚as a whole‘:

  BT's assessment is not made up of valuing many small parts and adding them together, but it has to be valued as a whole. Benchmarks on rental values of particular network elements are irrelevant. |
| --- | --- |

(c)

The necessity to value ‚as a whole‘:

  BT's assessment is not made up of valuing many small parts and adding them together, but it has to be valued as a whole. Benchmarks on rental values of particular network elements are irrelevant.

| (d) | Special obligations:
  The full value of BT's network is ‚depressed‘ by its onerous licence conditions such as its universal service obligations (‚USO‘) and price cap regulations. Vtesse, on the other hand, does not have USO (41). |
| --- | --- |

(d)

Special obligations:
  The full value of BT's network is ‚depressed‘ by its onerous licence conditions such as its universal service obligations (‚USO‘) and price cap regulations. Vtesse, on the other hand, does not have USO (41).

| 38. | As stated in the Commission's abovementioned notice on direct business taxation, the presence of aid may be ruled out where the different nature of the measure is justified by the nature and general scheme of the system. In line with the case-law of the Court of Justice (42), the Commission has continued to take the view that this justification must be based on the intrinsic features and inherent logic of the tax system. In the case at hand, however, the Commission has doubts about the validity of such arguments, and in particular: |
| --- | --- |

38.

As stated in the Commission's abovementioned notice on direct business taxation, the presence of aid may be ruled out where the different nature of the measure is justified by the nature and general scheme of the system. In line with the case-law of the Court of Justice (42), the Commission has continued to take the view that this justification must be based on the intrinsic features and inherent logic of the tax system. In the case at hand, however, the Commission has doubts about the validity of such arguments, and in particular:

| 39. | Asset ownership:
  The UK authorities stated that the ‚Rental‘ method can only apply to lessees (and not lessors). However, the rent received by BT when renting out its own infrastructure could serve as guidance for the value of the network. Moreover, BT's retail business units themselves effectively rent infrastructure and buy network services from BT Wholesale, the business unit that manages BT's infrastructure. The internal transfer prices between BT's retail businesses and BT Wholesale could provide a basis, or at least a benchmark, for estimating the rental value, with appropriate adjustments for network services (provided, of course, that those prices are set at arms length). |
| --- | --- |

39.

Asset ownership:
  The UK authorities stated that the ‚Rental‘ method can only apply to lessees (and not lessors). However, the rent received by BT when renting out its own infrastructure could serve as guidance for the value of the network. Moreover, BT's retail business units themselves effectively rent infrastructure and buy network services from BT Wholesale, the business unit that manages BT's infrastructure. The internal transfer prices between BT's retail businesses and BT Wholesale could provide a basis, or at least a benchmark, for estimating the rental value, with appropriate adjustments for network services (provided, of course, that those prices are set at arms length).

| 40. | Size and diversity of infrastructure:
  Such argumentation tends to suggest that bigger companies deserve reduced or digressive rates of taxation. This statement appears to be incompatible with the Commission's position in previous fiscal aid cases stipulating that nothing justified preferential treatment in favour of large companies (43). Moreover, if the logic of the business rates property tax system is to assess the value of infrastructure, the size of the company should not be taken into consideration during the valuation process. In any case, the cable TV companies in the UK are also active in the telecommunications market, especially residential and, similarly to BT, have both an access and a backbone network. Their taxation level could also serve as a benchmark (44). |
| --- | --- |

40.

Size and diversity of infrastructure:
  Such argumentation tends to suggest that bigger companies deserve reduced or digressive rates of taxation. This statement appears to be incompatible with the Commission's position in previous fiscal aid cases stipulating that nothing justified preferential treatment in favour of large companies (43). Moreover, if the logic of the business rates property tax system is to assess the value of infrastructure, the size of the company should not be taken into consideration during the valuation process. In any case, the cable TV companies in the UK are also active in the telecommunications market, especially residential and, similarly to BT, have both an access and a backbone network. Their taxation level could also serve as a benchmark (44).

| 41. | The necessity to value ‚as a whole‘:
  The UK was a forerunner in telecoms liberalisation, account separation and tariff regulation based on the cost-orientation of BT's tariffs. For these purposes, OFCOM, the UK regulatory authority, and its predecessor OFTEL, have been systematically collecting cost accounting data from BT since the 1980s. BT itself and OFCOM are in possession of detailed cost accounting data for BT's network. This data could be used to determine the taxable value of BT's network, at least to verify the assessment of the tax authorities. Moreover, liberalisation and network element unbundling have resulted in a variety of wholesale products which could serve as benchmarks for valuing the rental value of various infrastructure elements. |
| --- | --- |

41.

The necessity to value ‚as a whole‘:
  The UK was a forerunner in telecoms liberalisation, account separation and tariff regulation based on the cost-orientation of BT's tariffs. For these purposes, OFCOM, the UK regulatory authority, and its predecessor OFTEL, have been systematically collecting cost accounting data from BT since the 1980s. BT itself and OFCOM are in possession of detailed cost accounting data for BT's network. This data could be used to determine the taxable value of BT's network, at least to verify the assessment of the tax authorities. Moreover, liberalisation and network element unbundling have resulted in a variety of wholesale products which could serve as benchmarks for valuing the rental value of various infrastructure elements.

| 42. | Special obligations:
  The Commission is not aware of BT or Kingston Communications being compensated for the provision of universal service under the Universal Service Directive (45). Nor is the Commission aware of any compensation for universal service, or for any other obligation, which could be regarded as a service of general economic interest, specifically being granted through reduced property taxation. As regards to price regulation, while it may limit the returns of the incumbent and as such, the taxation level calculated based on the ‚R&E‘ method, this should not lead to inconsistency between the results of valuations by different methodologies. Finally, being an incumbent in a market tends to bring advantages in terms of asset value, while the arguments brought forward by the VOA tend to focus on disadvantages. |
| --- | --- |

42.

Special obligations:
  The Commission is not aware of BT or Kingston Communications being compensated for the provision of universal service under the Universal Service Directive (45). Nor is the Commission aware of any compensation for universal service, or for any other obligation, which could be regarded as a service of general economic interest, specifically being granted through reduced property taxation. As regards to price regulation, while it may limit the returns of the incumbent and as such, the taxation level calculated based on the ‚R&E‘ method, this should not lead to inconsistency between the results of valuations by different methodologies. Finally, being an incumbent in a market tends to bring advantages in terms of asset value, while the arguments brought forward by the VOA tend to focus on disadvantages.

| 43. | Adjustments:
  The Commission notes that even if the use of different methods could be justified by the logic of the system, these should deliver comparable results. The Commission's initial assessment of the use of various methods in this particular case is that they seem to lead to significantly different results based on similar facts. In particular, the ‚R&E‘ method estimates the rent value of the assets on the basis of revenues from the use of those assets, while the ‚Rental‘ and ‚Tone of the List‘ methods pick up the market values for the rent. Hence, it seems that the ‚R&E‘ method implicitly assumes that assets are used at capacity and profitably, which however may not always be the case. To avoid penalising operators whose assets are valued using a different method, appropriate adjustments would need to be made. The Commission does not question the validity of the methods themselves, but rather has doubts about the way they are applied to different operators. |
| --- | --- |

43.

Adjustments:
  The Commission notes that even if the use of different methods could be justified by the logic of the system, these should deliver comparable results. The Commission's initial assessment of the use of various methods in this particular case is that they seem to lead to significantly different results based on similar facts. In particular, the ‚R&E‘ method estimates the rent value of the assets on the basis of revenues from the use of those assets, while the ‚Rental‘ and ‚Tone of the List‘ methods pick up the market values for the rent. Hence, it seems that the ‚R&E‘ method implicitly assumes that assets are used at capacity and profitably, which however may not always be the case. To avoid penalising operators whose assets are valued using a different method, appropriate adjustments would need to be made. The Commission does not question the validity of the methods themselves, but rather has doubts about the way they are applied to different operators.

| 44. | Revisions:
  There does not seem to be any review mechanism in the system to ensure an equitable and proportionate tax burden among operators when applying the different methods. Scope for revisions within the five year cycle is very limited. While BT does enjoy a downwards revision mechanism, there does not seem to be a similar systematic review of the market conditions faced by competitors. The effect of such adjustment appears to move the tax payable by the incumbent closer to one based on operational performance and revenues, while for other operators it remains a tax based on rent of assets irrespective of performance. In addition, the failure to take into account the increase in the value of BT's infrastructure between two five-year review periods, while charging competitors incrementally as the value of their network increases, seems to further distort competition. |
| --- | --- |

44.

Revisions:
  There does not seem to be any review mechanism in the system to ensure an equitable and proportionate tax burden among operators when applying the different methods. Scope for revisions within the five year cycle is very limited. While BT does enjoy a downwards revision mechanism, there does not seem to be a similar systematic review of the market conditions faced by competitors. The effect of such adjustment appears to move the tax payable by the incumbent closer to one based on operational performance and revenues, while for other operators it remains a tax based on rent of assets irrespective of performance. In addition, the failure to take into account the increase in the value of BT's infrastructure between two five-year review periods, while charging competitors incrementally as the value of their network increases, seems to further distort competition.

| 45. | Discretionary powers:
  The valuation process gives discretionary powers to the VOA and seems to leave considerable scope for negotiation. According to the UK authorities, while there is an established practice, approved by the case law of the Courts of England, of applying a certain hierarchy of methods, there is no requirement in the LGFA 1988 to use any particular method in order to arrive at the rateable value and all methods can be considered (46). In many cases, negotiated settlements are reached. At this point, the Commission is unable to determine whether the reasoning behind adopting a certain rateable value for BT is well reasoned, justified, and documented and does not unduly disadvantage other operators (47). In any case, such a settlement should respect the principle of non-discrimination among operators and the parameters on which the agreement has been reached should be objective and opened for all operators. |
| --- | --- |

45.

Discretionary powers:
  The valuation process gives discretionary powers to the VOA and seems to leave considerable scope for negotiation. According to the UK authorities, while there is an established practice, approved by the case law of the Courts of England, of applying a certain hierarchy of methods, there is no requirement in the LGFA 1988 to use any particular method in order to arrive at the rateable value and all methods can be considered (46). In many cases, negotiated settlements are reached. At this point, the Commission is unable to determine whether the reasoning behind adopting a certain rateable value for BT is well reasoned, justified, and documented and does not unduly disadvantage other operators (47). In any case, such a settlement should respect the principle of non-discrimination among operators and the parameters on which the agreement has been reached should be objective and opened for all operators.

| 46. | Resulting taxation:
  The doubts about the justification of applying different valuation methods are further reinforced by the differences in the resulting taxation. Even if the use of different methods and revision mechanisms would be based on an objective set of criteria, the Commission would expect these different methods to ensure equal treatment by yielding comparable results. In this context, it would be useful to compare the tax levels to an objective measure of the economic use of the assets taxed, such as, for instance, revenues. The tax payable by BT seems to be in the range of 2-4 % of relevant revenues while that payable by Vtesse and other new entrant competitors is said to be two or three times as much, and to reach 20-30 % on an incremental basis. Moreover, the application of different methods seems to structurally produce different results when it comes to the frequency of revisions and adjustments. While some minor discrepancy might be justified in the context of a property tax, it needs to be ensured that such differences are not disproportionate and discriminatory. |
| --- | --- |

46.

Resulting taxation:
  The doubts about the justification of applying different valuation methods are further reinforced by the differences in the resulting taxation. Even if the use of different methods and revision mechanisms would be based on an objective set of criteria, the Commission would expect these different methods to ensure equal treatment by yielding comparable results. In this context, it would be useful to compare the tax levels to an objective measure of the economic use of the assets taxed, such as, for instance, revenues. The tax payable by BT seems to be in the range of 2-4 % of relevant revenues while that payable by Vtesse and other new entrant competitors is said to be two or three times as much, and to reach 20-30 % on an incremental basis. Moreover, the application of different methods seems to structurally produce different results when it comes to the frequency of revisions and adjustments. While some minor discrepancy might be justified in the context of a property tax, it needs to be ensured that such differences are not disproportionate and discriminatory.

Distortion of competition

| 47. | The UK telecommunications market has been opened to competition since 1992 and today is a highly competitive market with numerous operators. BT and Kingston Communications directly compete against Vtesse and other alternative providers active in the telecommunications services market. Hence on the assumption that the difference in business rates taxation among these operators involved State aid and conferred a selective advantage upon certain players, it would alter their competitive position on the market and hence distort competition. |
| --- | --- |

47.

The UK telecommunications market has been opened to competition since 1992 and today is a highly competitive market with numerous operators. BT and Kingston Communications directly compete against Vtesse and other alternative providers active in the telecommunications services market. Hence on the assumption that the difference in business rates taxation among these operators involved State aid and conferred a selective advantage upon certain players, it would alter their competitive position on the market and hence distort competition.

Effect on trade

| 48. | The mere fact that some firms' position is strengthened by the resulting lower rate of taxation compared to that of other firms which are competitors in intra-Community trade demonstrates that Community trade is affected. BT is a company active on a global scale, competing on several community markets in electronic communications services. Hence any advantage conferred upon it affects trade between Member States. This criterion also appears to be fulfilled to the extent that the telecoms companies affected by the measure at stake are able, actually or potentially, to trade with companies located in other Member States. |
| --- | --- |

48.

The mere fact that some firms' position is strengthened by the resulting lower rate of taxation compared to that of other firms which are competitors in intra-Community trade demonstrates that Community trade is affected. BT is a company active on a global scale, competing on several community markets in electronic communications services. Hence any advantage conferred upon it affects trade between Member States. This criterion also appears to be fulfilled to the extent that the telecoms companies affected by the measure at stake are able, actually or potentially, to trade with companies located in other Member States.

Conclusion

| 49. | In conclusion, it would appear that the measure under consideration involves State aid within the meaning of Article 87(1) EC. The Commission would like to emphasize, however, that this conclusion should not be seen as an attempt on its part to impose on the UK authorities the use of a particular valuation method. It is, in fact, for the UK authorities to choose the method they consider most appropriate to value the ‚rateable hereditament‘, provided that any differences between individual undertakings or economic sectors are justified by the intrinsic features and inherent logic of the tax system and that, eventually, all taxable persons are subject to the same objective and non-discriminatory treatment, leading to comparable levels of taxation. |
| --- | --- |

49.

In conclusion, it would appear that the measure under consideration involves State aid within the meaning of Article 87(1) EC. The Commission would like to emphasize, however, that this conclusion should not be seen as an attempt on its part to impose on the UK authorities the use of a particular valuation method. It is, in fact, for the UK authorities to choose the method they consider most appropriate to value the ‚rateable hereditament‘, provided that any differences between individual undertakings or economic sectors are justified by the intrinsic features and inherent logic of the tax system and that, eventually, all taxable persons are subject to the same objective and non-discriminatory treatment, leading to comparable levels of taxation.

5.2.   Nature and amount of the possible aid

| 50. | On the basis of the information provided so far, the Commission tends to believe that the measures constitute new aid and not existing aid. Despite the fact that communications systems have been rated since the middle of the 19th century, it is the Local Government Finance Act (LGFA) 1988 which largely governs the current non-domestic rates system in England and Wales. Prior to the 1988 Act, BT (and most other utilities) were rated by a mandated statutory formula. The LGFA put utilities on the same commercial basis as other enterprises by introducing an independent valuation by various methods and allowing for appeal. The provisions of the Act were implemented at the 1995 valuation when the ‚Receipt and Expenditure‘ method was first applied to BT and Kingston Communications. |
| --- | --- |

50.

On the basis of the information provided so far, the Commission tends to believe that the measures constitute new aid and not existing aid. Despite the fact that communications systems have been rated since the middle of the 19th century, it is the Local Government Finance Act (LGFA) 1988 which largely governs the current non-domestic rates system in England and Wales. Prior to the 1988 Act, BT (and most other utilities) were rated by a mandated statutory formula. The LGFA put utilities on the same commercial basis as other enterprises by introducing an independent valuation by various methods and allowing for appeal. The provisions of the Act were implemented at the 1995 valuation when the ‚Receipt and Expenditure‘ method was first applied to BT and Kingston Communications.

| 51. | Assuming that the measure qualifies as aid, within the meaning of Article 87(1) EC, the aid amount must, according to § 35 of the Commission's abovementioned notice on direct business taxation, be calculated on the basis of a comparison between the tax actually paid and the amount which should have been paid if the generally applicable rule had been applied. However, since, at this point in time the Commission cannot pronounce itself on which method, if any, and, which level of taxation, if any, is deemed to be the standard one in the present case, the amount of aid cannot be determined at this stage, either. |
| --- | --- |

51.

Assuming that the measure qualifies as aid, within the meaning of Article 87(1) EC, the aid amount must, according to § 35 of the Commission's abovementioned notice on direct business taxation, be calculated on the basis of a comparison between the tax actually paid and the amount which should have been paid if the generally applicable rule had been applied. However, since, at this point in time the Commission cannot pronounce itself on which method, if any, and, which level of taxation, if any, is deemed to be the standard one in the present case, the amount of aid cannot be determined at this stage, either.

5.3.   Compatibility

| 52. | At this stage and in view of the above, the Commission cannot exclude that BT, to whom the ‚Receipt and Expenditure‘ method is applied, may benefit from a specific and more favourable tax treatment amounting to State aid as defined under Article 87(1) EC. In addition, the Commission notes that Kingston Communication is likely to benefit from a similar tax treatment than BT. |
| --- | --- |

52.

At this stage and in view of the above, the Commission cannot exclude that BT, to whom the ‚Receipt and Expenditure‘ method is applied, may benefit from a specific and more favourable tax treatment amounting to State aid as defined under Article 87(1) EC. In addition, the Commission notes that Kingston Communication is likely to benefit from a similar tax treatment than BT.

| 53. | It is therefore necessary to determine if such an aid could be considered compatible with the common market under Article 87(2) or (3) of the EC Treaty. It appears that none of the exceptions under Article 87(2) EC Treaty apply in this case, as the measure is not aimed at the objectives listed in these provisions. |
| --- | --- |

53.

It is therefore necessary to determine if such an aid could be considered compatible with the common market under Article 87(2) or (3) of the EC Treaty. It appears that none of the exceptions under Article 87(2) EC Treaty apply in this case, as the measure is not aimed at the objectives listed in these provisions.

| 54. | Under Article 87(3)(a), an aid measure is considered compatible with the common market when it is designed to promote the economic development of areas where the standard of living is abnormally low or where there is serious underemployment. Such areas are defined by the United Kingdom's regional aid map. Since the measures are not limited to such areas, this provision does not apply. |
| --- | --- |

54.

Under Article 87(3)(a), an aid measure is considered compatible with the common market when it is designed to promote the economic development of areas where the standard of living is abnormally low or where there is serious underemployment. Such areas are defined by the United Kingdom's regional aid map. Since the measures are not limited to such areas, this provision does not apply.

| 55. | As regards the exceptions laid down in Article 87(3)(b) and (d), the aid in question is not intended to promote the execution of an important project of common European interest or to remedy a serious disturbance in the economy of the United Kingdom, nor is it intended to promote culture or heritage conservation. |
| --- | --- |

55.

As regards the exceptions laid down in Article 87(3)(b) and (d), the aid in question is not intended to promote the execution of an important project of common European interest or to remedy a serious disturbance in the economy of the United Kingdom, nor is it intended to promote culture or heritage conservation.

| 56. | Finally, it is necessary to examine if the aid can qualify for the exception laid down in Article 87(3)(c) which states that an aid may be considered compatible with the common market where it facilitates the development of certain economic activities or of certain economic areas and does not adversely affect trading conditions to an extent contrary to the common interest. |
| --- | --- |

56.

Finally, it is necessary to examine if the aid can qualify for the exception laid down in Article 87(3)(c) which states that an aid may be considered compatible with the common market where it facilitates the development of certain economic activities or of certain economic areas and does not adversely affect trading conditions to an extent contrary to the common interest.

| 57. | The preferential tax treatment does not seem to be related to investment or to job creation and constitutes a permanent relief from charges that should be normally met by these companies in the course of their business. The measure could, at this stage, be considered as an operating aid scheme, the benefits of which will cease as soon as it is withdrawn. According to the constant practice of the Commission, such aid cannot be considered to facilitate the development of certain economic activities or of certain economic areas. |
| --- | --- |

57.

The preferential tax treatment does not seem to be related to investment or to job creation and constitutes a permanent relief from charges that should be normally met by these companies in the course of their business. The measure could, at this stage, be considered as an operating aid scheme, the benefits of which will cease as soon as it is withdrawn. According to the constant practice of the Commission, such aid cannot be considered to facilitate the development of certain economic activities or of certain economic areas.

| 58. | Since, assuming that the measure qualifies as State aid, it would not seem to qualify for any of the exceptions provided for in the Treaty, the Commission doubts that it could be considered compatible with the common market. |
| --- | --- |

58.

Since, assuming that the measure qualifies as State aid, it would not seem to qualify for any of the exceptions provided for in the Treaty, the Commission doubts that it could be considered compatible with the common market.

6.   CONCLUSION

| 59. | In the light of the foregoing considerations, the Commission, acting under the procedure laid down in Article 88(2) of the EC Treaty, requests that the United Kingdom submit its comments and provide all such information as may help to assess the aid/measures to BT and Kingston Communications, within one month of the date of receipt of this letter. |
| --- | --- |

59.

In the light of the foregoing considerations, the Commission, acting under the procedure laid down in Article 88(2) of the EC Treaty, requests that the United Kingdom submit its comments and provide all such information as may help to assess the aid/measures to BT and Kingston Communications, within one month of the date of receipt of this letter.

| 60. | The Commission is in particular interested to receive the conclusions of the review of the system undertaken by the Department of Trade and Industry or details of the ongoing discussions and any working papers on this matter. In addition, it would like to receive the details of the agreement between the VOA and BT, the VOA and Kingston, concluded in 1995, applicable for the 1995-2000 period and especially the economic modelling behind the valuation and the justifications (including data on relevant revenues etc.) for any subsequent concessions made during the settlement. Similarly, the Commission would like to receive the details of BT's and Kingston's 2000 valuation, applicable for the 2000-05 period. Furthermore, the Commission is interested in tax levels and relevant revenue data for Vtesse and other alternative operators, including Cable and Wireless. It also requests that your authorities forward a copy of this letter to the potential recipients of the aid. |
| --- | --- |

60.

The Commission is in particular interested to receive the conclusions of the review of the system undertaken by the Department of Trade and Industry or details of the ongoing discussions and any working papers on this matter. In addition, it would like to receive the details of the agreement between the VOA and BT, the VOA and Kingston, concluded in 1995, applicable for the 1995-2000 period and especially the economic modelling behind the valuation and the justifications (including data on relevant revenues etc.) for any subsequent concessions made during the settlement. Similarly, the Commission would like to receive the details of BT's and Kingston's 2000 valuation, applicable for the 2000-05 period. Furthermore, the Commission is interested in tax levels and relevant revenue data for Vtesse and other alternative operators, including Cable and Wireless. It also requests that your authorities forward a copy of this letter to the potential recipients of the aid.

| 61. | The Commission wishes to remind the United Kingdom that Article 88(3) of the EC Treaty has a suspensory effect, and, that Article 14 of Council Regulation (EC) No 659/1999 provides that all unlawful aid may be recovered from the recipient.“ |
| --- | --- |

61.

The Commission wishes to remind the United Kingdom that Article 88(3) of the EC Treaty has a suspensory effect, and, that Article 14 of Council Regulation (EC) No 659/1999 provides that all unlawful aid may be recovered from the recipient.“

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(1)  Property used for business as opposed to residential purposes.

1

(2)  ‚Business Rates — An Introduction‘, Valuation Office Agency.

2

(3)  Local government finance in the UK is a devolved matter. The UK Government is therefore only responsible for the rating system in England. Rates in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland are the responsibility of the Devolved Administrations. Pre-devolution legislation largely applies in England and Wales, where the system is very similar. Therefore the description primarily covers the situation that exists there. However, the situation in Scotland is broadly similar.

3

(4)  For telecommunications properties that are entered on Local Rating Lists, this is done in the area where it is considered by the VOA that the greatest proportion of rateable value resides.

4

(5)  Except in a revaluation year, the multiplier can not increase by more than the rate of increase of the Retail Price Index, South Oxford Council, www.southoxon.gov.uk

5

(6)  The multiplier in percent was 43,2 1995/6, 44,9 1996/97, 45,8 1997/98, 47,4 1998/99, 48,9 1999/00, 41,6 2000/1, 43,0 2001/02, 43,7 2002/03, 44,4 2003/04, 45,6 2004/5.

6

(7)  UK fiscal year 2003/4 covers the period 1 April 2003 — 31 March 2004.

7

(8)  www.voa.gov.uk

8

(9)  Economic circumstances are taken as at the ‚antecedent valuation date‘, while physical factors are taken as at the date of completing the rating list.

9

(10)  Schedule 6 of the Local Government Finance Act on valuation of non-domestic hereditament, www.hmso.gov.uk

10

(11)  Four tests of occupancy as established in John Laing and Son, Ltd. V. Kingswood Assessment Committee and Others [1948] 2 KB 116.

11

(12)  Statutory Instrument 2000/540, Valuation for Rating (Plant and Machinery) (England) Regulations 2000 N.540, Class 3 (4), www.hmso.gov.uk

12

(13)  The main provisions apply to cables, fibres and wires that are outside the building, with those inside excluded from rateability.

13

(14)  Brief Overview of the Telecoms Rating System for the purposes of the Broadband Stakeholders Group, Alan Roy Bradford CEO/VOA, 9 June 2003

14

(15)  Electric Telegraph Co v Salford Overseers, op. cit. footnote 14.

15

(16)  Most of the independent telecom companies were acquired by the General Post Office around 1912, except what is now Kingston Communications, which remained in the control of the local government in Hull.

16

(17)  Later renamed Cable &Wireless, which since has been divided into Cable & Wireless UK and ntl. See also supra paragraph 28.

17

(18)  Telecommunications Cable Networks Rating Review, presentation by Alan Roy Bradford, Valuation Office Agency, 25 June 2004.

18

(19)  The LGFA came into force in 1990, but assets were still valued using the prescribed formulae during 1990-95 since, allegedly, given the tight time frame the valuations could not be ready for this five year valuation period.

19

(20)  Op. cit. footnote 14.

20

(21)  Assuming the tenant undertook to pay the usual tenant's share and to bear the costs of the repairs and insurance and other expenses (if any) necessary to maintain the hereditament in a state to command rent.

21

(22)  The Receipts and Expenditure Method of Valuation of Non-Domestic Properties, A Guidance Note, RICS Books.

22

(23)  At the statutory rate of 5,5 % for the 2000 Rating List.

23

(24)  The Contractor's Basis of Valuation for Rating Purposes, a Guidance Note, RICS Books.

24

(25)  GBP 445 million for England and GBP 25 million for Wales.

25

(26)  Based on Total Receipts of about GBP 10,199 million as stated in the 1995 Central Rating List Assessment for BT, CVO Analysis of Agreed Rateable Value, Equated Figures.

26

(27)  GBP 467 million for England and GBP 26 million for Wales.

27

(28)  Apparently BT's current list valuation, with effect from 1 April 2003, is about GBP 472 million (GBP 447,5 million for England and GBP 24,9 million for Wales) but appeals are outstanding. It is unclear to the Commission whether this is the case, and if it is the case, why there has been a new valuation in April 2003 resulting in lower rateable values than those determined in the 2000 valuation.

28

(29)  Paragraph 2(7) of Schedule 6 to the Local Government Finance Act 1988 allows for alterations to be made to a Rateable List still in force in certain cases, for instance in the case of matters affecting ‚the physical state or physical enjoyment of the hereditament‘ or ‚the mode or category of occupation of the hereditament‘.

29

(30)  Since 1998 it also provides services to business customers in East Yorkshire where it is present on the market as an alternative provider.

30

(31)  Espicom Business Intelligence: UK Telecommunications Market, 09/2003.

31

(32)  BT and Kingston Communications in Hull do not benefit from this allowance, since it is only applied to those assessed by the ‚Tone of the List‘ method.

32

(33)  Letter from VOA to Complainant, 11 March 2004.

33

(34)  Recurring revenues include service revenues but exclude installation revenues. Given that Vtesse's operations only started in 2002, such distinction seems reasonable to allow for comparison with BT. Estimate for fiscal year 2004/05 is based on three quarter figures.

34

(35)  Op. cit. footnote 31.

35

(36)  Except the cable TV companies, which according to the knowledge of the Commission, are valued using a different method (based on ‚homes passed‘) than the four described in this decision to open the formal investigative procedure.

36

(37)  UKCTA submission of 23 October 2003 to the Hearing on Broadband by the Trade and Industry Sub-Committee appointed by the House of Commons.

37

(38)  Effect of Property Rating on Competition in the Market for Fixed Line Telecommunications Services in the UK: Proposed options for the future, paper drafted by alternative telecommunications providers, 12 July 2002.

38

(39)  4 % estimated for England based on 2001 revenues, op. cit. footnote 38.

39

(40)  OJ C 384, 10.12.1998, p. 3-9.

40

(41)  VOA's statement at the Berkshire Valuation Tribunal Hearing, 25 March 2004.

41

(42)  Judgement of the Court of Justice in Case C-308/01 of 29 April 2004 concerning Gil Insurance Ltd and Joint cases T-346/99, T-347/99, T-348/99 point 58 onwards.

42

(43)  Commission Decision of 17 February 2003 No C15/2002 on Belgian Coordination Centres (OJ L 282, 30.10.2003) and No C51/2001 on Dutch international financing activities (OJ L 180, 18.7.2003).

43

(44)  See footnote 36.

44

(45)  Directive 2002/22/EC on Universal Service and Users' Rights relating to electronic communications networks and services.

45

(46)  Op. cit. footnote 14.

46

(47)  According to the UK authorities, the VOA needs to obtain BT's consent to release to the Commission the relevant documentation which served for BT's valuation. In addition, it is said that BT itself arrived at its own valuation by the ‚Contractor's Basis‘method but the VOA is not in possession of this valuation.

47

Contractor's Basis

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III Obvestila

Komisija

| 12.3.2005 | SL | Uradni list Evropske unije | C 62/19 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

12.3.2005

SL

Uradni list Evropske unije

C 62/19

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UK–Greenock: Opravljanje rednih zračnih prevozov

Javni razpis Irske v skladu s členom 4(1)(d) Uredbe Sveta (EGS) št. 2408/92 glede opravljanja rednih zračnih prevozov med Galwayem/Na Minno in Aranskimi otoki

(2005/C 62/09)

(Besedilo velja za EGP)

1.   Uvod: Irska je v skladu s členom 4(1)(a) Uredbe (EGS) št. 2408/92 z dne 23. julija 1992 o dostopu letalskih prevoznikov Skupnosti do letalskih prog znotraj Skupnosti naložilo obveznost iz opravljanja javnih storitev (OJS) za redne zračne prevoze med Galwayem/Na Minno in Aranskimi otoki od 1. avgusta 2005. Standardi, ki se zahtevajo za opravljanje obveznosti iz opravljanja javnih storitev, so bili objavljeni v
  Uradnem listu Evropskih skupnosti št. C 281/05 z dne 5. oktobra 2001, njihove spremembe pa v
  Uradnem listu Evropskih skupnosti št. C 61 z dne 11. marca 2005.

Če do 1. julija 2005 noben letalski prevoznik ne bo začel ali nameraval začeti opravljanje takšnih zračnih prevozov v skladu z naloženimi obveznostmi iz opravljanja javnih storitev in brez zahtevanega nadomestila, je Irska sklenila, v skladu s predpisanim postopkom v členu 4(1)(d) zgoraj omenjene uredbe, še v bodoče omejevati dostop do prog za enega samega letalskega prevoznika in ponuditi pravico do opravljanja takih storitev od 1. avgusta 2005 na podlagi javnega razpisa.

2.   Predmet javnega razpisa: Opravljanje rednih zračnih prevozov od 1. avgusta 2005 med Galwayem/Na Minno in Aranskimi otoki v skladu z naloženo obveznostjo iz opravljanja javnih storitev na progi, ki je bila objavljena v
  Uradnem listu Evropskih skupnosti št. C 281/05 z dne 5. oktobra 2001, njene spremembe pa v
  Uradnem listu Evropskih skupnosti št. C 61 z dne 11. marca 2005.

3.   Sodelovanje: Sodelujejo lahko vsi letalski prevozniki z veljavno operativno licenco, ki jo je izdala država članica v skladu z Uredbo Sveta (EGS) št. 2407/92 z dne 23. julija 1992 o licenciranju letalskih prevoznikov. Storitve se bodo opravljale v skladu z regulativnim režimom Irske uprave za letalstvo (IUL).

4.   Razpisni postopek: Za ta razpis veljajo določbe člena 4(1)(d), (e), (f), (g), (h), in (i) Uredbe (EGS) št. 2408/92.

5.   Razpisna dokumentacija/kvalifikacije itd.: Celotno razpisno dokumentacijo, vključno s pogodbo, specifikacijo, povzetkom informacij kot tudi besedilom izvirne obveznosti iz opravljanja javnih storitev, objavljene v
  Uradnem listu Evropskih skupnosti št. C 281/05 z dne 5. oktobra 2001, njene spremembe pa v
  Uradnem listu Evropskih skupnosti št. C 61 z dne 11. marca 2005, je mogoče brezplačno dobiti pri naročniku, kot sledi:

Saltire Management Ltd., Victoria House Business Centre, East Blackhall Street, – Greenock PA15 1HD.

Letalske družbe morajo razpisni dokumentaciji priložiti dokaz o njihovem finančnem stanju (letno poročilo in zaključne račune za zadnja tri leta, vključen pa mora biti tudi dobiček od prometa in dobiček pred obdavčitvijo za zadnja tri leta), navesti predhodne izkušnje in opisati tehnične zmožnosti za opravljanje opisanih storitev. Naročnik si pridržuje pravico zahtevati dodatne podatke o finančnih in tehničnih virih ter zmožnostih vsakega kandidata.

Cene v ponudbah morajo biti v eurih, vsi predloženi dokumenti pa morajo biti v angleškem ali irskem jeziku. Pogodba se bo štela za pogodbo, sestavljeno v skladu z irskim pravom, zanjo pa bo veljala izključna pristojnost irskih sodišč.

6.   Finančno nadomestilo: V predloženih ponudbah naj bo izrecno naveden zahtevani znesek subvencije za izvrševanje obveznosti iz opravljanja javnih storitev na progi za vsako izmed treh let od predvidenega začetnega datuma (z analizo za vsako leto). Subvencija naj bo izračunana v skladu z minimalnimi zahtevanimi standardi.

Dejanski znesek nadomestila bo naknadno izplačalo Ministrstvo za občinske, podeželske in gaeltachtske zadeve (Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs), omejen pa bo na dejansko izgubo, ob upoštevanju dejanskih stroškov, prihodkov in, če primerno, stopnje dobička uspešnega ponudnika pri opravljanju predmetnih storitev, kot maksimum, omejen z zneskom, navedenim v ponudbi za vsako leto.

Pogodba bo vključevala določbo o največji stopnji povišanja nadomestila v primeru sprememb v pogojih poslovanja, glede tega pa bo imel naročnik izključno diskrecijsko pravico. Brez poseganja v določbe o prenehanju pogodbe bo naročnik pri ocenjevanju predloga za povišanje največjega zneska kompenzacije za vsako leto, upošteval spremembe v zvezi z opravljanjem storitev, ki jih ponudnik ni predvidel ali ni mogel predvideti ali pa so posledica dejavnikov izven nadzora ponudnika.

Pogodba bo sklenjena z Ministrstvom za občinske, podeželske in gaeltachtske zadeve. Vsa plačila po pogodbi se izvršijo v eurih pod pogojem, da bo naročnik prejel ustrezno dokumentirane zahteve, opremljene s potrdilom prevoznikovih revizorjev v skladu s pogodbenimi pogoji.

7.   Trajanje, spremembe in prenehanje pogodbe: Pogodba velja za obdobje do treh let, s pričetkom veljavnosti dne 1. avgusta 2005 in koncem veljavnosti najkasneje dne 31. julija 2008. Novi javni razpis bo izveden, če primerno, pred 31. julijem 2008. Pogodba se lahko spremeni ali preneha veljati le v skladu s pogodbenimi pogoji. Spremembe glede storitev so mogoče le obsoglasju naročnika.

8.   Kazni v primeru, da prevoznik ne izpolnjuje pogodbe: V primerih višje sile ali če je let odpovedan zaradi razlogov, ki jih je mogoče pripisati neposredno prevozniku, bo nadomestilo krilo le stroške, ki so, če sploh, nastali prevozniku v zvezi s potniki, ki so imeli nevšečnosti zaradi neizvedenih letov. Naročnik si pridržuje pravico do odpovedi pogodbe, če je, ob upoštevanju ustreznosti opravljenih storitev in še zlasti števila odpovedanih letov iz razlogov na strani prevoznika, mnenja, da storitve ne izpolnjujejo ali ne izpolnjujejo v zadostni meri standardov, določenih v obveznosti iz opravljanja javnih storitev.

9.   Rok za oddajo ponudb: En mesec od objave tega sporočila v Dodatku k Uradnemu listu Evropskih skupnosti.

10.   Postopek prijave: Ponudbe je treba poslati na naslov, naveden v točki 5, in označene z „EASP Tender“ do 12. ure (po irskem času) dneva, navedenega v točki 9.

11.   Veljavnost javnega razpisa: V skladu s členom 4(1)(d) Uredbe (EGS) št. 2408/92 je ta razpis veljaven pod pogojem, da ne bo nobeden izmed letalskih prevoznikov Skupnosti do 1. julija 2005 predložil programa opravljanja zračnih prevozov na zadevnih progah od 1. avgusta 2005 ali prej, v skladu z naloženo obveznostjo iz opravljanja javnih storitev z vsemi spremembami in brez finančnega nadomestila.

12.   Zakona o svobodi informiranja, 1997 in 2003: Ministrstvo za občinske, podeželske in gaeltachtske zadeve se obvezuje, da si bo kar najbolj prizadevalo varovati zaupne podatke, predložene s strani ponudnikov, v skladu s pravnimi obveznostmi Ministrstva, vključno z Zakonoma o svobodi informiranja iz leta 1997 in 2003. Kolikor ponudniki želijo, da katera koli posredovana informacija ne bi bila razkrita zaradi njene poslovne občutljivosti, naj to ob navedbi informacije izrecno označijo ter pojasnijo razloge za njeno občutljivost. Ministrstvo se bo pred sprejemom odločitve o posredovanju informacije v skladu z Zakonom o svobodi informiranja o tem posvetovalo s ponudniki. Če ponudniki menijo, da ni nobena posredovana informacija poslovno občutljiva, naj to izjavijo, zato da se takšna informacija v primeru zahteve na podlagi Zakona o svobodi informiranja lahko objavi.

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