natgillin/translations-raw huggingface dataset:
After consulting stakeholders by conducting a mapping exercise and coverage analysis, it was established that the buildings in question would not be served by high-speed internet infrastructure on market terms within the next three years.
Vendar dejstvo, da je bila odločitev o nadomestilu za 670 objektov, ki so bili projektu dodani po umiku operaterja WBS s trga, sprejeta potem, ko je bil na razpisu izbran operater Síminn, povzroča težave v zvezi s preostalimi merili iz sodbe Altmark.
The Icelandic authorities have emphasised why they consider it important to avoid a ‘digital divide’ between urban and rural areas.
Merila za izračun nadomestila za dodatne enote niso bila določena vnaprej ter objektivno in pregledno, temveč so bila določena po postopku oddaje javnega naročila, pri čemer se je upoštevala povprečna cena na enoto iz prvotne ponudbe operaterja Síminn, kot so potrdili islandski organi.
The economies of broadband provision are such that the market will not always find it profitable to invest in it in all areas.
Čeprav je bil operater Síminn izbran za ponudnika storitev v skladu z javnim razpisom, je na postopku oddaje javnega naročila temeljilo le nadomestilo za prvotnih 1118 objektov.
Due to economies of density, broadband networks are generally more profitable to roll out where potential demand is higher and more concentrated, i.e. in densely-populated areas.
Nadomestilo za dodatnih 670 objektov je bilo določeno potem, ko je bil na razpisu izbran operater Síminn.
Because of high fixed costs of investment, unit costs increase strongly as population density declines.
Nadzorni organ prav tako ni prejel informacij, ki bi kazale, da so islandski organi izvedli primerjalno analizo stroškov, ki bi verjetno nastali pri gradnji in delovanju širokopasovnega omrežja za dodatne objekte, s povprečnim, dobro vodenim in ustrezno opremljenim podjetjem.
As a result, broadband networks tend to profitably cover only part of the population.
Ob upoštevanju navedenega je Nadzorni organ sklenil, da zadevni ukrep ne izpolnjuje vseh meril iz sodbe Altmark.
Remoteness, such as larger distances from existing telecommunications infrastructure, could also significantly increase the investment costs necessary to roll out adequate broadband networks [82].
Sklep v zvezi z obstojem državne pomoči
Typically, these underserved regions are rural areas with a low population density, in which commercial providers have no economic incentives to invest in electronic communications networks to provide adequate broadband services.
S sklicevanjem na zgornje navedbe Nadzorni organ ugotavlja, da ocenjeni ukrep vključuje elemente državne pomoči v smislu člena 61(1) Sporazuma EGP.
This may lead to a ‘digital divide’ between the areas which have access to adequate broadband services and those that do not.
Zato je na podlagi prej navedenih pogojev treba proučiti, ali je ukrep združljiv z delovanjem Sporazuma EGP.
As a consequence, it is in the declared general economic interest that EEA States can employ public funds to enable connectivity in areas which would not otherwise be served by high-speed internet, either currently or in the near future [83].
POSTOPKOVNE ZAHTEVE
The Icelandic authorities have demonstrated the necessity of their intervention.
V skladu s členom 1(3) dela I Protokola 3: „Nadzorni organ Efte mora biti o vseh načrtih za dodelitev ali spremembo pomoči obveščen dovolj zgodaj, da lahko predloži pripombe. […] Zadevna država ne sme izvajati svojih predlaganih ukrepov, dokler v tem postopku ni sprejeta dokončna odločitev.“
As described in Chapter 2.1.2 of Part I above, the authorities have confirmed that there was a serious lack of high-speed broadband coverage in the areas concerned.
Islandski organi ukrepa pomoči niso priglasili Nadzornemu organu.
Moreover, the mapping and coverage analysis revealed no investment plans to connect the buildings in the near future in view of their low commercial attractiveness for private operators, i.e. since they were all located in sparsely populated areas.
Poleg tega so islandski organi z odprtjem postopka oddaje javnega naročila in financiranjem uvedbe širokopasovnega omrežja na podeželskih območjih začeli izvajati navedene ukrepe, preden je Nadzorni organ sprejel dokončno odločitev.
Moreover, Síminn seems to have been given a clear mandate assigned by way of the Agreement, which, according to the Authority's Guidelines on the Application of the State aid rules to compensation granted for the provision of services of general economic interest (‘the Authority's SGEI Guidelines’), can be seen as the required entrustment act [84].
Nadzorni organ zato ugotavlja, da islandski organi niso izpolnili svojih obveznosti iz člena 1(3) dela I Protokola 3.
According to Síminn's mandate, the broadband infrastructure to be deployed should provide universal connectivity to all users in a given area.
Dodelitev kakršne koli vključene pomoči se zato mora šteti za nezakonito.
Furthermore, in line with paragraphs 19-20 of the Broadband Guidelines, the publicly-funded network was to be constructed so as to allow for access by other ISPs on a wholesale basis.
ZDRUŽLJIVOST POMOČI
Access was to be granted by convenient means and all ISPs were to be granted equal service and equal access to the network, irrespective of their connection to the seller.
Uvod
Síminn therefore cannot refuse access to the infrastructure on a discretionary and/or discriminatory basis.
Podporni ukrepi iz člena 61(1) Sporazuma EGP so načeloma nezdružljivi z delovanjem Sporazuma EGP, razen če izpolnjujejo pogoje za odstopanje od člena 61(2) ali (3) ali člena 59(2) Sporazuma EGP in so potrebni, sorazmerni in ne povzročajo neupravičenega izkrivljanja konkurence.
Moreover, the entrustment and the aid only covers the deployment of a network and the provision of the related wholesale access services, without including retail communications services.
Islandski organi trdijo, da je kakršna koli pomoč, vključena v Pogodbo med Skladom in operaterjem Síminn, združljiva s členom 61(3) Sporazuma EGP.
However, the fact that the compensation for the 670 buildings that were added to the project after the withdrawal of WBS from the market was decided on after Síminn had won the tender raises problems in relation to the rest of the Altmark criteria.
Na podlagi člena 61(3)(c) Sporazuma EGP se „pomoč za pospeševanje razvoja nekaterih gospodarskih dejavnosti ali nekaterih gospodarskih območij“ lahko šteje za združljivo z delovanjem Sporazuma EGP, kadar takšna pomoč ne škoduje trgovinskim pogojem in konkurenci v EGP v obsegu, ki bi bil v nasprotju s skupnimi interesi.
The parameters for calculation of the compensation for the additional units were not established in an objective and transparent manner beforehand, but rather, as has been confirmed by the Icelandic authorities, determined subsequent to the public procurement procedure taking account of the average unit price in the original tender bid from Síminn.
Trenutno veljavne smernice za širokopasovna omrežja Nadzornega organa vsebujejo podrobno razlago člena 61(3)(c) Sporazuma EGP za ta sektor [85].
Therefore, even though Síminn was chosen as a service provider in accordance with a public tender, only the compensation for the first 1118 buildings was based on the public procurement process.
Predhodne Smernice za uporabo pravil o državni pomoči v zvezi s hitro postavitvijo širokopasovnih omrežij (smernice za širokopasovna omrežja iz leta 2010) so bile najprej sprejete 3. februarja 2010 in zato niso veljale, ko je operater Síminn sklenil pogodbo s Skladom.
The compensation for the additional 670 buildings was determined after Síminn had won the tender.
Vendar smernice za širokopasovna omrežja temeljijo na obstoječi sodni praksi in praksi odločanja Evropske komisije [86].
The Authority has also received no information indicating that the Icelandic authorities conducted a benchmarking exercise, with a typical well-run and adequately-equipped undertaking, concerning the costs likely to be incurred in constructing and operating the broadband network for the additional buildings.
Zato Nadzorni organ ne bo neposredno uporabljal smernic za širokopasovna omrežja, temveč bo Pogodbo ocenil na podlagi temeljnih načel državne pomoči za širokopasovno infrastrukturo, ki so opisana v prej navedenih smernicah, ter sodne prakse in prakse odločanja, ki sta se uporabljali ob podpisu Pogodbe in ki se še vedno uporabljata v novejših zadevah.
In light of the above, the Authority concludes that the measure in question does not fulfil all of the Altmark criteria.
Razlikovanje med belimi, sivimi in črnimi lisami za osnovna širokopasovna omrežja
Conclusion with regard to the presence of State aid
Glede na smernice za širokopasovna omrežja je treba območja, na katerih se bo vzpostavilo novo širokopasovno omrežje, opredeliti kot bele, sive ali črne lise, da se lahko izvede ocena združljivosti [87].
With reference to the above considerations, the Authority concludes that the measure under assessment includes elements of State aid within the meaning of Article 61(1) of the EEA Agreement.
„Bela lisa“ je območje, kjer ni nobene širokopasovne infrastrukture in ni verjetno, da se bo taka infrastruktura razvila v bližnji prihodnosti.
Under the conditions referred to above, it is thus necessary to consider whether the measure can be found to be compatible with the functioning of the EEA Agreement.
Nadzorni organ se zato strinja, da države Efte z dodelitvijo finančne podpore za zagotavljanje širokopasovnih storitev na območjih, na katerih širokopasovna omrežja trenutno niso na voljo, uresničujejo konkretne cilje na področju kohezije in gospodarskega razvoja, zato je njihova intervencija verjetno v skladu s skupnim interesom, če so izpolnjeni pogoji iz oddelka 3.3 v nadaljevanju.
PROCEDURAL REQUIREMENTS
„Siva lisa“ je območje, na katerem je prisoten en omrežni operater in ni verjetno, da se bo na njem v bližnji prihodnosti razvilo še eno omrežje.
Pursuant to Article 1(3) of Part I of Protocol 3: ‘the EFTA Surveillance Authority shall be informed, in sufficient time to enable it to submit its comments, of any plans to grant or alter aid. … The State concerned shall not put its proposed measures into effect until the procedure has resulted in a final decision’.
Sam obstoj enega omrežnega operaterja na nekem območju še ne pomeni, da ni težav v zvezi z nedelovanjem trga ali kohezijo.
The Icelandic authorities did not notify the aid measure to the Authority.
Če ima navedeni operater tržno moč (monopol), lahko državljanom zagotavlja kombinacijo kakovosti in cene storitev, ki ni optimalna.
Moreover, the Icelandic authorities have, by tendering out and financing the broadband deployment in rural areas, put those measures into effect before the Authority has adopted a final decision.
Lahko se zgodi, da se nekaterim kategorijam uporabnikov ne zagotavljajo ustrezne storitve ali da so v primeru nereguliranih tarif veleprodajnega dostopa maloprodajne cene višje od cen enakih storitev, ki se zagotavljajo na konkurenčnejših, a drugače primerljivih območjih ali regijah v državi.
The Authority therefore concludes that the Icelandic authorities have not respected their obligations pursuant to Article 1(3) of Part I of Protocol 3.
Če poleg tega obstajajo le omejene možnosti, da bodo na trg vstopili drugi operaterji, je financiranje alternativne infrastrukture lahko ustrezen ukrep.
The granting of any aid involved must therefore be considered unlawful.
„Črna lisa“ je območje na določenem geografskem območju, na katerem bosta v bližnji prihodnosti prisotni vsaj dve osnovni širokopasovni omrežji različnih operaterjev, širokopasovne storitve pa se zagotavljajo pod konkurenčnimi pogoji (konkurenca med operaterji z lastno infrastrukturo), predpostavlja pa se lahko, da ni nedelovanja trga.
COMPATIBILITY OF THE AID
Zato je zelo malo možnosti, da bo državna intervencija zagotovila dodatne koristi [88].
Introduction
Po navedbah islandskih organov območja projekta pred gradnjo omrežja ni pokrivalo drugo širokopasovno omrežje.
Support measures caught by Article 61(1) of the EEA Agreement are generally incompatible with the functioning of the EEA Agreement, unless they qualify for a derogation under Article 61(2) or (3) or Article 59(2) of the EEA Agreement and are necessary, proportional and do not cause undue distortion of competition.
Cilj kartiranja je bil opredeliti nedelovanja trga z razlikovanjem med „sivimi“, „črnimi“ in „belimi“ lisami v oddaljenih regijah Islandije.
The Icelandic authorities argue that any aid involved in the Agreement between the Fund and Síminn is compatible with Article 61(3) of the EEA Agreement.
Na podlagi kartiranja in analize pokritosti Sklada je nastal natančen seznam objektov, ki so se pozneje vključili v projekt.
On the basis of Article 61(3)(c) of the EEA Agreement ‘aid to facilitate the development of certain economic activities or of certain economic areas’ may be considered compatible with the functioning of the EEA Agreement, where such aid does not adversely affect trading conditions and competition in the EEA to an extent that is considered contrary to the common interest.
Ob upoštevanju navedenega Nadzorni organ meri, da so za namen uporabe smernic za širokopasovna omrežja območja, ki jih zajema projekt, „bele lise“.
The Authority's currently applicable Broadband Guidelines contain a detailed interpretation of Article 61(3)(c) of the EEA Agreement as regards this sector [85].
Preskus izravnave in smernice za širokopasovna omrežja/praksa odločanja
The previous Guidelines on the Application of State Aid Rules to the Rapid Deployment of Broadband Networks ( ‘the 2010 Broadband Guidelines’) were first adopted on 3 February 2010, and were therefore not in effect at the time at which Síminn and the Fund entered into the Agreement.
Pri ocenjevanju, ali se ukrep pomoči lahko šteje za združljiv z delovanjem Sporazuma EGP, Nadzorni organ primerja pozitiven učinek ukrepa pomoči pri doseganju cilja skupnega interesa in njegove morebitne negativne stranske učinke, kot je izkrivljanje trgovine in konkurence (t. i. preskus izravnave).
However, the Broadband Guidelines are based on existing case-law and the decision-making practice of the European Commission [86].
Pri uporabi tega preskusa izravnave bo Nadzorni organ obravnaval naslednja vprašanja [89]:
Distinction between white, grey and black areas for basic broadband networks
Ali oblika pomoči zagotavlja doseganje cilja skupnega interesa?
According to the Broadband Guidelines, in order to carry out a compatibility assessment of public financing of broadband projects, the region in which the new broadband network will be deployed needs to be defined as a white, grey or black area [87].
Zlasti:
‘White area’ refers to an area where there is no broadband infrastructure and it is unlikely that such infrastructure will be developed in the near future.
Ali je državna pomoč ustrezen instrument politike, tj. ali obstajajo drugi, primernejši instrumenti?
The Authority acknowledges that by providing financial support for the provision of broadband services in areas where broadband is currently not available, the EFTA States pursue genuine cohesion and economic development objectives and thus, their intervention is likely to be in line with the common interest, provided the conditions set out in Section 3.3 below are fulfilled.
Ali obstaja spodbujevalni učinek, tj. ali pomoč spremeni ravnanje podjetij?
‘Grey area’ refers to an area in which one network operator is present and another network is unlikely to be developed in the near future.
Ali je ukrep pomoči sorazmeren, tj. ali bi bila lahko enaka sprememba v ravnanju dosežena z manj pomoči?
The mere existence of one network operator does not necessarily imply that no market failure or cohesion problem exists.
Ali so izkrivljanje konkurence in učinki na trgovino omejeni, tako da je splošno ravnovesje pozitivno?
If that operator has market power (monopoly) it may provide citizens with a suboptimal combination of service quality and prices.
V skladu s smernicami za širokopasovna omrežja [90] bo Nadzorni organ pri uporabi preskusa izravnave upošteval cilj ukrepa, njegovo zasnovo in potrebo po omejevanju izkrivljanj konkurence.
Certain categories of users may not be adequately served or, in the absence of regulated wholesale access tariffs, retail prices may be higher than those charged for the same services offered in more competitive, but otherwise comparable areas or regions of the country.
Cilj ukrepa
If, in addition, there are only limited prospects that alternative operators enter the market, the funding of an alternative infrastructure could be an appropriate measure.
Državna pomoč na belih lisah
‘Black area’ refers to an area in a given geographical zone where there are or there will be in the near future at least two basic broadband networks of different operators and broadband services are provided under competitive conditions (infrastructure-based competition), it can be assumed that there is not a market failure.
Širokopasovna povezljivost je ključni del razvoja, uvajanja in uporabe informacijskih in komunikacijskih tehnologij v gospodarstvu in družbi.
Accordingly, there is very little scope for State intervention to bring further benefits [88].
Projekt se nanaša in osredotoča izključno na „bele lise“ [91].
According to the Icelandic authorities, the area of the project was, prior to the construction of the network, not covered by any broadband network.
Nadzorni organ v skladu s smernicami za širokopasovna omrežja meni, da so ta območja načeloma upravičena do državne pomoči, saj projekt spodbuja teritorialno, socialno in ekonomsko kohezijo ter obravnava dokazano nedelovanje trga [92].
The Fund conducted a thorough mapping exercise where it called for information on all current broadband service areas (i.e. areas that had a continuously available (not dial-up) internet access of at least 512 kb/s for a reasonable fixed monthly price), as well as planned areas (not yet serviced) that would be functional by June 2008.
Vendar morajo biti za opredelitev ukrepa kot združljivega s Sporazumom EGP izpolnjeni določeni pogoji.
The Fund received information on market areas in various forms from several broadband service providers as well as individuals.
Navedeni pogoji bodo ocenjeni v pododdelkih v nadaljevanju.
The aim of this exercise was to identify market failures, by distinguishing between ‘grey’, ‘black’ and ‘white’ areas in remote regions in Iceland.
Natančno opredeljen cilj skupnega interesa
The Fund's mapping and coverage analysis resulted in a precise list of buildings which were later included in the project.
V strategiji Evropa 2020 z dne 3. marca 2010 je Evropska komisija v oddelku „Evropski program za digitalne tehnologije“ navedla: „Cilj te pobude je poskrbeti, da bo enotni digitalni trg, ki se opira na hitre in ultra hitre internetne povezave ter interoperabilne aplikacije, dal trajne gospodarske in družbene koristi, in zagotoviti, da bomo do leta 2013 vsi imeli dostop do širokopasovne internetne povezave, do leta 2020 pa dostop do veliko hitrejših internetnih povezav (30 Mbit/s ali hitrejše), ter da bi se poleg tega polovica ali več evropskih gospodinjstev lahko naročila na internetne povezave s hitrostjo nad 100 Mbit/s“ [93].
Thus, in light of the above, the Authority considers the areas covered by the project as ‘white areas’ for the purposes of applying the Broadband Guidelines.
V strategiji Evropa 2020 je priznano, kako pomembni so projekti razvoja širokopasovnih omrežij, da se pospeši prispevek širokopasovnih tehnologij k rasti in inovacijam v vseh sektorjih gospodarstva ter socialni in regionalni koheziji.
The balancing test and the Broadband Guidelines/decisional practice
Vzpostavitev novih osnovnih in/ali dostopovnih širokopasovnih omrežij naslednje generacije prispeva k ustvarjanju novih delovnih mest ter izboljševanju zdravstvenih in izobraževalnih storitev na ciljnih območjih.
In assessing whether an aid measure can be found compatible with the functioning of the EEA Agreement, the Authority balances the positive impact of the aid measure in reaching an objective of common interest against its potential negative side-effects, such as distortions of trade and competition (a so-called ‘balancing test’).
Poleg tega razvoj širokopasovnega omrežja prispeva k zmanjševanju „digitalne ločnice“, ki ločuje območja ali regije znotraj države, kjer so na voljo cenovno dostopne in konkurenčne širokopasovne storitve, in območja, na katerih take storitve niso na voljo.
In applying this balancing test, the Authority will assess the following questions [89]:
Nadzorni organ meni, da obstaja resno tveganje pojava „digitalne ločnice“ med različnimi regijami Islandije, zlasti podeželskimi in mestnimi območji, če se ne bo izvedla javna intervencija.
Is the aid measure aimed at a well-defined objective of common interest, i.e. does the proposed aid address a market failure or other objective?
To bi lahko povzročilo gospodarsko in socialno izključenost lokalnega prebivalstva in podjetij, prav tako pa bi lahko povzročilo tudi nadaljnje upadanje števila prebivalcev na že tako redko poseljenih območjih.
Is the aid well-designed to deliver the objective of common interest?
Vzrokov za digitalne ločnice je več, vendar je eden najpomembnejših vzrokov pomanjkanje ustrezne širokopasovne infrastrukture.
In particular:
Poleg tega Nadzorni organ ponovno navaja, da je bila zagotovitev širokopasovnih storitev vsem evropskim državljanov do leta 2013 eden glavnih ciljev Evropske digitalne agende [94].
Is State aid an appropriate policy instrument, i.e. are there other, better-placed instruments?
Ta projekt je zato skladen tako s strategijo Evropa 2020 kot Evropsko digitalno agendo.
Is there an incentive effect, i.e. does the aid change the behaviour of undertakings?
Po navedbah islandskih organov je razpoložljivost hitre širokopasovne infrastrukture ključni dejavnik za lokalne skupnosti pri privabljanju podjetij, izboljševanju lokalnih življenjskih pogojev ter pospeševanju rasti in inovacij v vseh sektorjih lokalnega gospodarstva.
Is the aid measure proportional, i.e. could the same change in behaviour be obtained with less aid?
Shema je gospodinjstvom in podjetjem na ciljnem območju omogočila dostop do cenovno dostopnih širokopasovnih storitev.
Are the distortions of competition and the effect on trade limited, so that the overall balance is positive?
Zato javno financiranje širokopasovne infrastrukture ni zagotovilo le razpoložljivosti širokopasovnega omrežja, temveč bo zagotovilo tudi, da se storitve zagotavljajo po cenovno dostopnih cenah, kot zahteva Evropska digitalna agenda.
In line with the Broadband Guidelines [90], in applying the balancing test, the Authority will consider the objective of the measure, its design and the need to limit distortions of competition.
To pomeni, da projekt omogoča dostop do maloprodajnih širokopasovnih storitev na ciljnih območjih (tj. redko poseljenih območjih, ki so zlasti podeželska) po cenah, ki so podobne cenam na bolj poseljenih območjih (tj. mestnih območjih).
Objective of the measure
Nadzorni organ meni, da podpora za vzpostavitev širokopasovnega omrežja na podeželskih območjih in manj pokritih belih lisah, kjer širokopasovno omrežje trenutno ni na voljo, pomeni spodbujanje teritorialne, socialne in ekonomske kohezije ter obravnava nedelovanje trga [96].
State aid in white areas
Razvoj širokopasovnega omrežja prispeva tudi k zmanjševanju „digitalne ločnice“, ki ločuje območja ali regije znotraj države, kjer so na voljo cenovno dostopne in konkurenčne širokopasovne storitve, in območja, na katerih take storitve niso na voljo [97].
Broadband connectivity is a key component for the development, adoption and use of information and communication technologies in the economy and in society.
Ob upoštevanju navedenega je Nadzorni organ sklenil, da pomoč uresničuje konkretne cilje na področju kohezije in gospodarskega razvoja, ki se štejejo za dobro opredeljene cilje skupnega interesa.
The project exclusively relates to and targets ‘white areas’ [91].
Ali ukrep obravnava nedelovanje trga?