Analytics, Financial Services, Latvia, Markets and Companies, Telecomunications
International Internet Magazine. Baltic States news & analytics
Friday, 19.04.2024, 08:01
Latvia still one of Europe's "leaders" in pirated content availability
He pointed out that honest business activity is first of all
in the interest of clients that use legal content and services, appreciate
their consumer rights, data protection rights, TV content supervision, which is
especially important, for example, to families with children. "It's important
to provide fast and quality customer service. Clients appreciate services that
provide increasingly greater comfort," acknowledged the expert.
"For years we have been bringing public administration
and regulators' attention to the insufficient measures against shadow economy
in general, and tirelessly talking about illegal activities in electronic
communications and media. For a long time, we have been trying to show that
problems in the industry concern interests of broader society, not just the
respective market players," continued Meisitis.
"There are many electronic communication operators and
media in Latvia, but unfortunately we cannot say for sure that they all play by
the rules - pay taxes and fees, license payments, obey the law. Problems are
still being observed in audiovisual communications piracy, construction of
electronic communication networks, and others," emphasized Lattelecom
representative.
Meisitis hopes that the responsible institutions will
continue to focus their attention and resources on solving these problems.
"We cannot say with full certainty that the regulators, supervisory and
law enforcement authorities are doing everything they can and what is in their
competence to keep illegal business practices from spreading in the
industry," added the expert.
Despite that, Meisitis expressed satisfaction that certain
progress could be seen in the fight against illegal distribution of audiovisual
content. "We have a high opinion of work done by the parliament and
government, including recent amendments strengthening the National Electronic
Mass Media Council's competence, and determination to strengthen law
enforcement agencies' capacity," said Meisitis.
Lattelecom last year's turnover was EUR 163.398 mln and
profit EUR 30.5 mln. 51% of the company's shares belong to Latvian
Privatization Agency, but 49% to the Danish-registered company Tilts
Communications.