What Role for EU Competition Law in Regulated Industries? Reflections on the Orange Polska Case

This paper focuses on the application of EU competition law to regulated network industries. It does so by discussing the 2015 ruling of the General Court in the Orange Polska case, which confirmed the imposition of a fine of over EUR 127 million on the Polish incumbent for engaging in a constructive refusal to supply contrary to Article 102 TFEU. The case demonstrates the complexities stemming from the concurrent intervention of national regulators, national competition authorities and the European Commission. The paper assesses the merits of the broad powers vested in the Commission to take action in cases where sectoral regulation and national competition law have already applied, and where the anticompetitive conduct has already come to an end