natgillin/translations-raw huggingface dataset:
The Authority believes, in line with the Broadband Guidelines, that these areas are, in principle, eligible for State aid since the project promotes territorial, social and economic cohesion and addresses a proven market failure [92].
Kot je že bilo navedeno, so do državne pomoči upravičene le bele lise, zato se Nadzorni organ strinja, da na navedenih območjih obstaja nedelovanje trga.
Those conditions will be assessed in the following subsections.
Zasnova ukrepa in potreba po omejevanju izkrivljanja konkurence
A well-defined objective of common interest
Ali je pomoč ustrezni instrument?
In its Europe 2020 Strategy of 3 March 2010, ‘A Digital Agenda for Europe’, the European Commission stated that it has the ‘aim to deliver sustainable economic and social benefits from a Digital Single Market based on fast and ultra-fast internet and interoperable applications, with broadband access for all by 2013, access for all to much higher internet speeds (30 Mbps or above) by 2020, and 50 % or more of European households subscribing to internet connections above 100 Mbps’ [93].
Kot je navedeno v odstavku 40 smernic za širokopasovna omrežja, Nadzorni organ priznava, da bi lahko predhodna ureditev sicer pospešila razvoj širokopasovnih omrežij na mestnih in gosteje poseljenih območjih, vendar morda ni zadosten instrument za odpravo nedelovanja trga, ki je posledica pomanjkanja zasebnih naložb v infrastrukturo na nekaterih območjih.
The Europe 2020 strategy recognises the importance of broadband projects in order to accelerate the contribution of broadband technologies to growth and innovation in all sectors of the economy and to social and regional cohesion.
Nadzorni organ ni prejel informacij o tem, ali so islandski organi proučili kakršne koli alternativne možnosti javnemu financiranju širokopasovnega omrežja, da bi se odpravilo nedelovanje trga.
The deployment of new basic and/or NGA broadband networks contributes to job creation as well as to improving health and education services in the target areas.
Vendar sta Nadzorni organ in Komisija v preteklosti proučila uporabo nepovratnih sredstev ali davčnih spodbud za končne uporabnike ter možnost uporabe predhodne ureditve [99].
Moreover, the roll-out of a broadband network contributes to reducing the ‘digital divide’ that sets apart areas or regions within a country where affordable and competitive broadband services are on offer and areas where such services are not.
Za te ukrepe je bilo ugotovljeno, da verjetno ne bi pomenili zadostnih naložb za zagotavljanje širokopasovnih storitev manj pokritim območjem.
The Authority considers that without public intervention there is a real risk of an emergence of a ‘digital divide’ between the different regions in Iceland, mainly between rural and urban areas.
Kot je že bilo navedeno, so bile na zadevnem območju na voljo le omejene počasne internetne povezave, kartiranje pa je pokazalo, da zasebni operaterji niso nameravali posodobiti svoje širokopasovne infrastrukture.
This could lead to the economic and social exclusion of the local inhabitants and undertakings, and could also lead to further depopulation from already sparsely populated areas.
Poleg tega so islandski organi navedli, da veliki ponudniki internetnih storitev na Islandiji niso izkazali zanimanja za izboljšanje internetnih povezav na zadevnem območju ali za izvajanje naložb v širokopasovno infrastrukturo v bližnji prihodnosti [100].
Although there are several reasons for digital divides, one of the most important one is the lack of adequate broadband infrastructure.
Zato se zdi, da v takem primeru, ko je bilo potrjeno, da so širokopasovna infrastruktura in storitve v zadevni regiji premalo razvite, ni alternativne možnosti dodelitvi javnih sredstev, da se odpravi pomanjkanje širokopasovne povezljivosti.
Furthermore, the Authority recalls that providing broadband services to all European citizens by 2013 was one of the main goals of the Digital Agenda for Europe [94].
Zato je Nadzorni organ sklenil, da je javno financiranje za zagotovitev širokopasovnih storitev ustrezen instrument za doseganje zastavljenih ciljev.
The project is therefore in line with both the Europe 2020 Strategy and the Digital Agenda for Europe.
Ali ima pomoč spodbujevalni učinek?
According to the Icelandic authorities, the availability of high-speed broadband infrastructure is a key factor for the local communities in attracting businesses, improving local living conditions, as well as accelerating growth and innovation in all sectors of the local economy.
V skladu s smernicami za širokopasovna omrežja [101] je treba za ocenjevanje obstoja spodbujevalnega učinka proučiti, ali bi se zadevne naložbe v širokopasovno omrežje izvedle brez javnega financiranja.
The scheme has enabled households and businesses in the targeted area to have access to affordable broadband services.
Islandski organi so izvedli javno posvetovanje, ki je pokazalo, da ni verjetno, da bi trg v bližnji prihodnosti manj pokritim objektom zagotovil širokopasovno omrežje.
This is also a common interest objective, since broadband services have to be available at affordable prices in order to ensure that the maximum of citizens profit from the public aid [95].
Z zagotovitvijo finančne podpore za razvoj omrežja so ponudniki, ki so predložili ponudbe v postopku oddaje javnega naročila, spremenili svojo odločitev glede izvajanja naložb.
Without the aid, the cost of deploying the required broadband infrastructure will be very costly for private operators in scarcely populated areas and it will be translated into high retail prices, not affordable to all citizens.
Zato je Nadzorni organ sklenil, da je pomoč za izbranega ponudnika pomenila spodbudo za naložbo v vzpostavitev širokopasovne infrastrukture na območjih, v katera se v nasprotnem primeru naložbe ne bi izvedle.
As a consequence, the public financing of the broadband infrastructure has not only ensured broadband availability but it will also ensure that the services are provided at affordable prices as required in the Digital Agenda.
Sorazmernost pomoči ter omejevanje izkrivljanja konkurence in vpliva na trgovino
In other words, the project enables access to retail broadband services in the targeted areas (i.e. low populated areas, mainly rural areas) at prices similar to those applicable in the more populated areas (i.e. urban areas).
Podrobno kartiranje in analiza pokritosti
The Authority considers support for broadband network deployment in rural and underserved white areas, where broadband is currently not available, as promoting territorial social and economic cohesion and addressing market failures [96].
Na podlagi tega je Nadzorni organ sklenil, da sta kartiranje in analiza pokritosti prispevala k zmanjšanju morebitnih izkrivljanj konkurence.
The roll-out of a broadband network also contributes to reducing the ‘digital divide’ that sets apart areas or regions within a country where affordable and competitive broadband services are on offer and areas where such services are not [97].
Umik operaterja WBS s trga je bistveno spremenil seznam objektov, ki niso imeli in ne bi prejeli širokopasovne pokritosti v bližnji prihodnosti pod tržnimi pogoji.
In view of the above, the Authority concludes that the aid pursues genuine cohesion and economic development objectives, which are considered to be well-defined objectives of common interest.
Zato so islandski organi ponovno pozvali k predložitvi načrtov za ponujanje storitev objektom, ki so jih sprva zajemali načrti operaterja WBS.
Does the measure respond to a market failure?
To so storili prek časopisnega oglasa, kar je bilo po navedbah islandskih organov v skladu s predhodno komunikacijo s trgom.
As already indicated, since only white areas will be eligible for State aid, the Authority accepts that in those areas a market failure exists.
Ta metoda komunikacije je vsem ponudnikom storitev omogočala, da islandske organe opozorijo na kakršne koli načrte za območje.
In other words, the market left to its own devices, without intervention, fails to deliver an efficient outcome for society [98].
Zato Nadzorni organ meni, da je bil časopisni oglas v tem primeru ustrezna metoda komunikacije.
Design of the measure and the need to limit distortion of competition
Javno posvetovanje
Is aid the appropriate instrument?
Smernice za širokopasovna omrežja določajo obveznost organizacije javnega posvetovanja z obstoječimi operaterji z odprtim in preglednim postopkom, da se dodatno zagotovi, da se javna sredstva uporabljajo le na belih lisah z osnovnim širokopasovnim omrežjem in belih lisah z dostopovnim omrežjem naslednje generacije [102].
The Authority has not received information on whether the Icelandic authorities considered any alternatives to public financing of the broadband network in order to address the market failure.
S tem je Sklad zagotovil, da se čim bolj zmanjšajo morebitna izkrivljanja konkurence.
However, the Authority, as well as the Commission, has previously examined the use of grants or tax incentives to end users, as well as the possibility of using ex ante regulation [99].
Odprti razpisni postopek/ekonomsko najugodnejša ponudba
These measures have been found unlikely to lead to sufficient investments for the provision of broadband services to underserved areas.
Nadzorni organ izpostavlja, da se direktiva o javnih naročilih ne uporablja za postopek oddaje javnega naročila za širokopasovna omrežja in storitve [103], vendar za postopek oddaje javnega naročila vseeno veljajo temeljna načela enakega in nediskriminatornega obravnavanja [104].
As previously noted, there were only limited services of low-speed internet connections available in the area concerned and the mapping exercise showed that there were no plans by private operators to upgrade their broadband infrastructure.
Smernice za širokopasovna omrežja določajo tudi, da je treba izbirni proces, če organi, ki dodelujejo pomoč, sprejmejo odločitev, da bo subvencionirano infrastrukturo vzpostavila in upravljala tretja oseba, ki je operater, izvesti v duhu direktiv o javnih naročilih in v skladu z njihovimi načeli [105].
Moreover, the Icelandic authorities noted that the large internet service providers in Iceland had not shown any interest in improving the internet connections in the area in question or to invest in broadband infrastructure in the near future [100].
Pristop odprtega razpisnega postopka zagotavlja enako in nediskriminatorno obravnavanje vseh ponudnikov in zmanjšuje proračunske stroške ter morebitno vključeno državno pomoč in selektivno naravo ukrepa.
Hence, in situations such as the case at hand, where it has been confirmed that there is a significant under-development of broadband infrastructure and services in a given region, there seems to be no alternative to granting public funding to overcome the lack of broadband connectivity.
Uporabo odprtih razpisnih postopkov za spodbujanje teh ciljev pri vzpostavitvi širokopasovnega omrežja je Komisija priznala s svojo prakso odločanja, ki je starejša od Pogodbe, ki se ocenjuje [106].
It is therefore the Authority's conclusion that public funding for the provision of broadband services is an appropriate instrument to achieve the set objectives.
V okviru konkurenčnega postopka oddaje javnega naročila smernice za širokopasovna omrežja poudarjajo, da organ, ki dodeljuje pomoč, določi kvalitativna merila za izbor, na podlagi katerih se ocenijo predložene ponudbe [107].
Does the aid have an incentive effect?
Smernice za širokopasovna omrežja pojasnjujejo tudi, da bi moral za zmanjšanje zneska pomoči, ki se dodeli po podobnih ali celo enakih pogojih glede kakovosti, ponudnik, ki zahteva najmanjši znesek pomoči, načeloma prejeti več točk prednosti v okviru skupne ocene njegove ponudbe [108].
According to the Broadband Guidelines [101], in order to assess the existence of incentive effect it must be examined whether the broadband investments concerned would have been undertaken without public financing.
Organ, ki dodeljuje pomoč, bi moral tudi vnaprej določiti relativno težo, ki jo bo dodelil vsakemu izbranemu (kvalitativnemu) merilu.
The public consultation conducted by the Icelandic Authorities showed that it was unlikely that a broadband network covering the unserviced buildings would be provided by the market in the near future.
Opis razpisa je vključeval jasna merila za izbor, katerih namen je bil opredeliti ekonomsko najugodnejšo ponudbo.
By providing financial support to the roll-out of the network, the bidders to the public tender changed their investment decisions.
Uporabila so se štiri merila za vrednotenje: (i) skupna cena (50 %), (ii) hitrost izvedbe (15 %), (iii) hitrost prenosa (25 %) in (iv) storitve 2G GSM (neobvezno) (10 %).
Therefore, the Authority concludes that the aid provided an investment incentive for the selected provider to deploy a broadband infrastructure in areas in which it would not have invested otherwise.
Na podlagi navedenega je Nadzorni organ sklenil, da je Državni trgovinski center v imenu Sklada izvedel odprt in pregleden postopek oddaje javnega naročila, da se izbere ponudnik širokopasovnega omrežja.
Proportionality of the aid and limitation of distortion of competition and effect on trade
Poleg tega je jasno, da je bilo zagotovljeno načelo enakega obravnavanja, saj je bilo vsem zainteresiranim ponudnikom jasno, da je bila cena najpomembnejše merilo pri razpisu, saj je predstavljala 50 % meril za izbor.
Detailed mapping and coverage analysis
Po zaključku postopka oddaje javnega naročila se je operater WBS umaknil s trga.
The Icelandic authorities carried out a detailed mapping and coverage analysis in 2007.
Zato se je povečalo število objektov, ki so potrebovali širokopasovne storitve.
Hence, the competitive conditions and structure prevailing in the given area were analysed and all stakeholders affected by the relevant measure were consulted.
Zato se je spremenila Pogodba z izbranim ponudnikom na področju obsega, nadomestila in obdobja za razvoj.
Against this background, the Authority finds that the mapping and coverage analysis contributed to minimising potential distortions of competition.
Zaradi izrednih in nepredvidenih razmer v islandskem gospodarstvu se je spremenila tudi indeksacija skupnih plačil [112].
The withdrawal of WBS from the market resulted in a substantial change to the list of buildings that neither had, nor would, receive broadband coverage in the near future on market terms.
Pritožnik trdi, da ostali ponudniki niso mogli predložiti ponudb za dodatne objekte in da več lokacij ne pomeni nujno, da se bodo v skladu s povečanjem povišali stroški in podaljšalo obdobje za razvoj.
This was done by way of a newspaper advertisement which, according to the Icelandic authorities, was in line with previous communication with the market.
Kot je že bilo navedeno, direktiva o javnih naročilih ne velja za zadevni postopek, saj so postopki oddaje javnega naročila za gradnjo telekomunikacijskih omrežij izvzeti iz njenega področja uporabe [114].
This method of communication allowed all service providers to alert the Icelandic authorities of any roll-out plans in the area.
Vendar se v skladu s smernicami za širokopasovna omrežja izbirni postopek kljub temu izvede v duhu direktiv o javnih naročilih in v skladu z njihovimi načeli [115].
Public consultation
Spremembe so torej morda bile utemeljene zaradi razlik med cenami.
The Broadband Guidelines impose an obligation to launch a public consultation with existing operators through an open and transparent procedure in order to further ensure that public funds are used only in basic broadband white areas and NGA white areas [102].
V poglavju 2.3.4 opisa razpisa „Nove povezave in obveznost povezovanja“ je jasno določeno, da se bo povprečna cena na enoto iz prvotnega razpisa uporabila kot referenčna vrednost v primeru nepredvidenih razširitev projekta.
As previously noted, the Fund conducted an analysis of the completive conditions on the market and of future deployment plans by consulting stakeholders through a public advertisement, placed in the national newspaper Morgunblaðið to ensure full transparency.
V prej navedenem poglavju je posebej določena uporaba metode izračuna povprečne cene pri vrednotenju stroškov za nove lokacije, ki se dodajo projektu.
By doing so the Fund ensured that the potential distortions of competition were minimised.
Poleg tega v skladu z ustaljeno sodno prakso Nadzorni organ meni, da je vsaj v izrednih okoliščinah sprejemljivo, da države zamenjajo gotov rezultat z negotovim in tako dobijo določen in zadosten donos namesto donosa, ki ga ni mogoče predvideti [117].
Open tender procedure/Most economically advantageous offer
Zato je Nadzorni organ ob upoštevanju dejstva, da je namen postopka oddaje javnega naročila doseči najnižjo ceno za skupnost, poudarka na ceni pri merilih za izbor, vključenosti metode izračuna povprečne cene v razpisni dokumentaciji ter velikih razlik med predloženimi ponudbami sklenil, da se je v tem primeru zagotovilo enako in nediskriminatorno obravnavanje vseh ponudnikov ter da sta bila izbirni postopek in razširitev obsega projekta v skladu z duhom direktiv o javnih naročilih in njihovimi načeli.
The Authority would like to underline that, even though the Public Procurement Directive does not apply to the procurement of broadband networks and services [103], the procurement is still subject to the fundamental principles of equal and non-discriminatory treatment [104].
V zvezi z nadomestitvijo indeksacije cen na življenjske potrebščine z indeksacijo na tujo valuto pritožnik trdi, da je to povzročilo večja plačila za operaterja Síminn zaradi devalvacije ISK po finančni krizi.
It also follows from the Broadband Guidelines that whenever granting authorities decide to select a third party operator to deploy and operate the subsidised infrastructure, the selection process shall be conducted in line with the spirit and the principles of the Public Procurement Directives [105].
Islandski organi so potrdili, da te spremembe niso pomenile, da so celotno tveganje prevzeli islandski organi, saj je imel operater Síminn višje stroške pri drugih vidikih projekta, ki niso bili povezani z deviznim tečajem DKK, tj. stroške dela, nafte in drugih vložkov [118].
The open tender approach ensures equal and non-discriminatory treatment of all bidders, reduces budgetary costs, minimises the potential State aid involved and reduces the selective nature of the measure.
Prav tako so dokazali, da je bil potreben znesek pomoči tudi po teh spremembah Pogodbe še vedno bistveno nižji od druge najnižje veljavne ponudbe in ocene stroškov Sklada.
The use of open tenders to promote these objectives in broadband deployment has been recognised by the Commission in decisional practice predating the Agreement under assessment [106].
Ob upoštevanju navedenega je Nadzorni organ sklenil, da sta bila postopek oddaje javnega naročila in izbirni postopek na splošno v skladu z duhom direktiv o javnih naročilih in njihovimi načeli ter da so islandski organi izbrali ekonomsko najugodnejšo ponudbo.
Within the context of a competitive tender procedure, the Broadband Guidelines emphasise that the aid granting authority shall establish qualitative award criteria on which the submitted bids are to be assessed [107].
Tehnološka nevtralnost
The Broadband Guidelines also clarify that in order to reduce the amount of aid to be granted, at similar if not identical quality conditions, the bidder with the lowest amount of aid requested should in principle receive more priority points within the overall assessment of its bid [108].
V skladu z odstavkom 74(e) smernic za širokopasovna omrežja razpis ne bi smel dajati prednosti kakršni koli posebni tehnologiji ali omrežni platformi ali je izključevati.
The awarding authority shall also always specify in advance the relative weighting which it will give to each of the (qualitative) criteria chosen.
Ponudniki bi morali imeti pravico, da predlagajo zagotavljanje zahtevanih širokopasovnih storitev na podlagi uporabe ali združevanja tehnologij, ki se jim zdijo najustreznejše.
In the case at hand, the STC, on behalf of the Fund, published the tender description on its website and in national newspapers in February 2008.
Organ, ki dodeljuje pomoč, bi moral nato na podlagi objektivnih razpisnih meril izbrati najprimernejšo tehnološko rešitev ali njihovo kombinacijo.
In line with Paragraph 74(c) of the Broadband Guidelines, the information concerning the tender procedure was published at a central website at the national level, i.e. the STC website [109], and the tender was also announced on the website of the Ministry of the Interior [110].
V skladu s členom 2.1 opisa razpisa je bil projekt tehnološko nevtralen in ni določal posebnih razpisnih zahtev glede tega, kako bi bilo treba zgraditi omrežje ali katera tehnološka rešitev bi se morala uporabiti.
The tender description included clear award criteria, the purpose of which was to identify the most economically advantageous tender.
Razpis ni dajal prednosti nobeni posebni tehnologiji ali omrežni platformi, zato so lahko ponudniki samo opredeliti najprimernejše tehnološke rešitve za povezavo objektov, ki so bili opredeljeni pri kartiranju.
Four evaluation criteria were used: (i) total price (50 %); (ii) build-out speed (15 %); (iii) download speed (25 %), and (iv) 2G GSM (optional) (10 %).
Razpis je bil torej odprt za vse tehnične rešitve in tehnološko nevtralen, kot je določeno v smernicah za širokopasovna omrežja.
Following the publication of the tender, the STC engaged in discussions with interested bidders, resulting in a prolongation of the deadline to submit tenders until 4 September 2008.
Nadzorni organ je sklenil, da so bile z uporabo načela tehnološke nevtralnosti izbrane najprimernejše tehnologije ali njihova kombinacija [119].
The STC received five valid offers and the bid that scored highest based on the award criteria was subsequently chosen [111].
Uporaba obstoječe infrastrukture
Based on the above, the Authority finds that the STC, on behalf of the Fund, conducted an open and transparent public procurement procedure in order to choose the provider of the broadband network.
V skladu s smernicami za širokopasovna omrežja bi morale države EGP spodbujati ponudnike k uporabi razpoložljive obstoječe infrastrukture, da se prepreči nepotrebno in potratno podvajanje sredstev in zmanjša znesek javnih sredstev [120].
Moreover, it is clear that the principle of equal treatment was guaranteed as it was obvious to all interested bidders that price was by far the most important criteria in the tender, as it counted for 50 % of the award criteria.
Kot je bilo navedeno, zadevne objekte pred gradnjo omrežja ni pokrivalo drugo širokopasovno omrežje.
After the conclusion of the tender procedure, WBS withdrew from the market.
Poleg tega Nadzorni organ v tem primeru ni prejel nobenih pripomb omrežnih operaterjev ali zainteresiranih strani glede potratnega podvajanja sredstev.
This resulted in an increase in the amount of buildings in need of broadband services.
Na podlagi navedenega se zdi, da uporaba obstoječe infrastrukture ni imela pomembne vloge pri vzpostavitvi subvencioniranega omrežja.
As a consequence, changes to the Agreement with the chosen supplier were made concerning its scope, compensation and the roll-out period.
Veleprodajni dostop
Due to the exceptional and unforeseen circumstances in the Icelandic economy, changes were also made concerning the indexation of the total payments [112].
Odobritev učinkovitega veleprodajnega dostopa tretjih oseb do subvencionirane širokopasovne infrastrukture je nujni sestavni del vsakega državnega ukrepa, s katerim se financira izgradnja nove širokopasovne infrastrukture.
The complainant argues that other bidders did not get the chance to submit offers for the additional buildings and that the increase in locations does not necessarily entail a corresponding increase in costs and the roll-out period.
Veleprodajni dostop omogoča zlasti tretjim osebam, ki so operaterji, da konkurirajo izbranemu ponudniku (npr. če je izbrani ponudnik prisoten tudi na maloprodajni ravni), s čimer krepijo izbiro in konkurenco na zadevnih območjih, na katera se nanaša ukrep, obenem pa preprečujejo ustvarjanje monopolov nad regionalnimi storitvami [121].