Prices of services that integrate the universal service provision must comply with the principles of transparency and non-discrimination.
The transparency obligation is appropriate as it acts as a factor limiting any anti-competitive and discriminatory behaviour, as at the outset, prices and other conditions applied are known by competitors and by the regulator, making situations of detrimental behaviour to competition more visible.
On the other hand, the transparency obligation enables competitors to prepare appropriate competitive responses, being acknowledged the role performed by the incumbent operator as leader at a price-setting level.
The publication of relevant information also benefits the consumer, who is able, being better informed, to make more efficient choices that are better adjusted to his/her needs. On the other hand, the operator on whom the transparency obligation falls may benefit from such obligation, as this measure makes the communication of its service offers more effective, which naturally will be reflected in the level of customer satisfaction.
In the light of the above and bearing also in mind that CTT is under the obligation:
a) Being the USP, to publish in an appropriate manner and regularly supply users and postal service providers with accurate and up-to-date information regarding the particular features of the universal service offered, with special reference to the general conditions of access to and use of these services, prices and quality standard levels (article 11, paragraph 2);
b) As provider of postal services, to publish in an appropriate manner, namely at its website, and to regularly supply users with sufficiently detailed and up-to-date information regarding the features of the service offered, with special reference to the general conditions of access to and use of these services, prices and quality standard levels [article 37, paragraph 1c)],
it is deemed that CTT is required to publish prices and discounts of services that integrate the universal service provision, as well as associated conditions, at least at its website (as results in fact from the referred obligation provided for in paragraph 1 c) of article 37 of the Postal Law), and it must also be available at any location where services are provided (such as post stations and post offices).
The referred publication must include up-to-date information on all applicable prices, discounts and conditions, in clear language allowing any user to understand and calculate the price to be paid, irrespective of the service and available mail modalities.
Moreover, it is deemed appropriate to impose on CTT the obligation to notify ICP - ANACOM of the specific Internet address where universal service prices and associated conditions are published, so that ICP - ANACOM may create at its website a direct electronic link to that address.
