Sure criticises Guernsey's competition regulator after £3M fine is dropped

Monday, 17 March 2025 13:30

The CEO of Sure says the Guernsey Competition and Regulatory Authority wasted 'time, effort and money' pursuing a case against the telecoms company.

The GCRA imposed fines of around £3M on Sure and around half a million on JT in 2022 for alleged anti-competitive behaviour - over control of a future 5G network.

But in a recent appeal, the Royal Court overturned the fine, saying the regulator had made fundamental errors in its approach, which resulted in a process Sure describes as 'deeply flawed'.

Sure’s Group CEO Alistair Beak says he welcomes the ruling, but calls for regulator to be held to account.

“Since the first case was brought against Sure in 2019, the GCRA ignored the simple fact that Sure had been strongly encouraged by the States of Guernsey to explore the possibility of launching a single 5G network.

“We strongly believe that the States of Guernsey should be holding the GCRA’s Chief Executive, Chairman and Board to account over what is, in our view, an appalling waste of taxpayers’ money, given the flawed approach taken by the regulator.”

The GCRA has released a short statement in response.

“The judgement is very detailed and the GCRA is reviewing it at the present time and is considering next steps.

"It would be inappropriate to comment further at this stage.”