SES Astra appeals to CMT in Abertis dispute

Satellite operator SES Astra has appealed to the Spanish market regulator the CMT to mediate a dispute with local infrastructure provider Abertis Telecom over access to transmission towers in the country.

SES Astra has alleged that Spain is giving preferential treatment to Abertis in the deployment of digital-terrestrial TV in the country. Abertis is the part-owner of Spanish satellite operator Hispasat, which Astra has alleged is being given preferential treatment in the award of contracts to deliver digital-terrestrial channels via satellite in areas not covered by the terrestrial network. Astra has claimed that Abertis’s proposed fees for access to the towers were unreasonable and that it had refused to offer a price for interconnection to its network.