Telenor Norway reportedly contested a NOK788 million ($90.9 million) fine it was hit with last year for allegedly using its dominant position to create barriers against the development of a third mobile network in the market.

According to local publication Finansavisen.no, the operator filed a complaint against the fine, which was imposed by Norway’s Competition Authority in June 2018, late last month.

The issue dates back to 2010, when Telenor allegedly amended wholesale terms with Network Norway – the company which was building the third network.

According to the watchdog, Telenor changed the original terms it agreed with Network Norway to hike up prices, thus reducing the latter’s incentive to build a nationwide network.

In its complaint against the fine, Telenor Norway’s communications director Anders Krokan said it considered the pricing model it had set to be correct.

More competition needed
Ice Group, which now controls Network Norway, hit back, with its CEO Elvind Helgaker stating that the action taken by authorities against such practices was not having a a disciplinary effect, and that Telenor was still using its dominant position to weaken competition in the market.

He reportedly argued that action should be taken by authorities to open up the possibility for more competition in the market.

Telenor, which is majority owned by the state, has 4.8 million connections as of Q1 2019 in the country, according to GSMA Intelligence forecasts, ahead of Telia’s 2.3 million and Ice Group’s 570,000.