Data collection

Collection of data on electronic communications markets

In order to perform its regulatory duties, the Office for Communications (AK) needs access to information on electronic communications markets. Providers operating in Liechtenstein are therefore obliged to disclose necessary information free of charge based on requirements set out by the regulatory authority. The Office for Communications treats gathered data and information confidentially and publishes them only in the cases provided for by law and in compliance with relevant data protection provisions. The Office for Communications is in constant exchange with the Data Protection Agency on matters related to data collection and data protection.

Rechenschaftsbericht 2024 (Excel; in German)

Purpose limitation of data collection

In its capacity as a regulator, the Office for Communications is responsible for fulfilling all regulatory tasks assigned to the regulator in the field of electronic communications based on EEA legislation as well as the Electronic Communications Act and Ordinances issued in connection therewith. Pursuant to Art. para. 1 of the Electronic Communications Act, these include market supervision as well as the promotion and monitoring of effective competition in the field of electronic communications.

The Office for Communications collects data at periodic intervals or in special cases and uses it for the following purposes:

• carrying out market analyses and imposing special regulatory measures and supervising their compliance
• promoting and monitoring effective competition in the electronic communications sector to ensure freedom of choice for users
• ensuring the provision of electronic communications networks and services to the population at a high level, including the provision of universal service coverage
• surveilling markets
• monitoring compliance with the provisions of EEA legislation, the Communications Act and Ordinances issued thereunder
• preparing and publishing market indicators and official statistics in accordance with national and EEA legislation for transparency purposes

Information obligations of providers

Providers operating in Liechtenstein are therefore subject to the obligation under Art. 44 para. 1 of the Communications Act to disclose information, in particular financial and statistical data as well as data for statistical purposes, to the regulator free of charge and in accordance with requirements set out by the regulator.

In the event of non-compliance with this obligation to provide information, an order will be issued by the regulator pursuant to Art. 62 of the Communications Act. In the event that after the expiry of the deadline set therein, the lawful state has not been established, the regulator will take all measures required to establish the lawful state. As a rule, such measure is a disobedience penalty in the form of a fine of up to 10,000 francs for each day of non-compliance with the relevant order. As a last resort, the regulator may prohibit the provider who grossly or repeatedly violates obligations from operating electronic communications networks or offering electronic communications services and/or withdraw the rights of use or suspend them for a period determined by the regulator.   

Data collection and data protection

The Office for Communications collects the required data once a year in a questionnaire in order to be able to create market analyses and statistics. In addition, individual data collections may be conducted to monitor compliance with relevant provisions on a case-by-case basis.

Only aggregated data is requested when collecting data for market analysis and statistical purposes. This typically involves aggregate data such as number of calls, number of connection minutes, number of lines, number of contracts, etc. The specific data required to complete the questionnaires can be found in detail in the respective questionnaire for collecting data for market analysis and statistics, which can be downloaded above. Since the information required for the upcoming survey periods is thus sufficiently clear and predictable, it is possible for the providers to aggregate the required data in keeping with the provisions of data protection legislation, in particular with deletion obligations provided for by law.

In accordance with Art. 44 para. 3 of the Communications Act, the data collected may be published by the Office for Communications in appropriate manner and in compliance with information and data protection legislation.

Further information on data protection can be found in the Data Protection Policy.