The Competition Appeal Court has upheld the Competition Tribunal`s decision in favour of Orion Telecom over Telkom`s withholding of terms of its "secret" deals with Standard Bank and Edgars. The deals relate to the provision of telephony and related services at a special rate.
In its complaint lodged against the telecommunications giant, Orion Telecom claimed Telkom had unlawfully induced Standard Bank and Edgars to end their contractual relationships with Orion Telecom for the provision of cellular least-cost routing services.
Telkom had maintained that the contracts in their entirety did not contain any inducement, and that the contracts were confidential.
In a further development, Absa has also announced its departure for Telkom`s services, and Orion Telecom has now requested the terms of the Absa deal from Telkom. Orion says that in the event that Telkom is found to have unlawfully induced Absa, it intends to refer Telkom`s behaviour to the competition authorities.
"The terms of the Standard Bank and Edgars agreements strongly support our case, and we expect the terms of the Absa agreement to do the same," says Don Tredoux, MD of Orion Telecom.
Tredoux claims Telkom is offering only a few major corporations select deals, which are subsidised by the public and other corporates.
Telkom said this afternoon that its legal department had to be consulted before it could comment on the matter.
Related stories:
Commission rules on Telkom-Orion spat
Orion vs Telkom ruling 'imminent`
Orion to continue battle against Telkom
Another twist in Orion vs Telkom case
Telkom appeals against tribunal decision
Orion takes Telkom to task
Share
