AgCom speeds up mobile spectrum auction (Italy)
AgCom Italys’ Communications Authority has redecided to speed up the auction of the new frequencies to be allocated to mobile operators.
The Authority has adopted a draft regulation of the auction which will now be subject to public consultation. On the market, will be eventually offered 300 MHz of new frequencies, a significant portion of the band, that the regulator plans to make available to Telecom Italia, Vodafone Italia, Wind, 3 Italia and also to any new entrants.
The frequencies being auctioned will come from the so-called digital dividend i.e. frequencies to be vacated by 2012 by local TV channels.
Agcom demands further action from Telecom Italia?
Italian telecoms regulator Autorita per le Garanzie nelle Comunicazioni (Agcom) has issued a statement indicating that current fixed line provider Telecom Italia has made some progress with regards to the commitments it made in December 2008, but must still do more with regards to the quality and modernization of its fixed infrastructure.
Agcom admitted significant progress on some aspects of equal treatment and transparency in terms of Telecom Italia’s approach towards alternative operators.
Though, in terms of the quality of the fixed line network itself, Agcom prescribes further action by the company, so as to ensure an effective and efficient implementation. Agcom is due to make a final assessment on Telecom Italia’s progress in January 2011.
Italy regulator raises unbundling tariff
AGCOM, Italy’s telecommunications regulator will raise unbundling tariffs in 2011 and 2012 by less than previously planned on the request from the European Commission.
The commission had asked the Italian regulator to review the tariffs, which Telecom Italia SpA charges its opponents to access its fixed-line network, claiming it had applied the pricing model erratically.
Alternative operators, including FastWeb SpA and Vodafone Group PLC’s Italian unit, had complained that AGCOM’s proposed tariff increases could hamper competition and discourage investment in new broadband technology.
The new increase approved by AGCOM is US$0.16 lower than previously proposed for 2011, bringing the tariffs to US$12.28 a month; and US$0.27 lower for 2012, when the tariffs will reach US$12.64 a month.
However, there was no change in the planned increase to unbundling tariffs for 2010, and the current tariff of US$11.56 a month will be raised to US$11.85 a month.
Italy telcos ink MOU for High-Speed broadband infrastructure company
As per Industry Minister, Paolo Romani, Italian telecoms operators have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for the formation of a new company to build a high-speed broadband infrastructure.
According to Romani, the new company will be responsible for building a basic fiber-optic infrastructure, avoiding duplications and coordinating investments by Italy’s seven leading operators. The companies include Italy’s largest operator Telecom Italia SpA, Fastweb SpA, Wind SpA, Vodafone Italia, Tiscali SpA, BT Group PLC’s Italian unit, and 3 Italia.
The new company, which will be based on both public and private funds, will have an executive committee chaired by the Industry ministry and will include one representative from each of the seven telecoms operators. The committee will be in charge of defining the new company’s governance and business plan within the next three months.
Romani confirmed that state-controlled fund Cassa Depositi e Prestiti (CDP) will play a role in the new broadband infrastructure company, providing the company’s capital or loans.
Telecom Italia , Chief Executive Franco Bernabe has welcomed the agreement among the operators stating that it will contribute to the re-launch of broadband in Italy.
According to Fastweb’s board member Stefano Parisi, the new company was an important step forward, but added its success will be influenced by the action of Italy’s telecoms regulator AGCOM, which will have to set clear rules.
Telecom Italia oppose common network project law
As per the Chief Executive Franco Bernabe, Telecom Italia SpA opposes the possible introduction of a law that would force Italy’s former telephone monopoly to take part in a common fast fiber-based network project.
According to Franco Bernabe, such an imposition would be against the Italian constitution, which guarantees companies the freedom of measures aimed at profitability. Such a move would also be an imposition on the company.
Italy’s telecoms regulator AGCOM has repeatedly urged operators to work together to develop a fast fiber-based network, warning that failure to do so could be costly for the country’s economic growth and competitiveness as Italy lags the rest of Europe in broadband penetration.
According to Bernabe, dismantling the current copper-based network won’t take place quickly.
According to Telecom Italia, it will push ahead with its own plans to offer 100 megabits a second broadband to 50% of the Italian population by 2018, pledging to invest US$12.37 billion in its network infrastructure by 2012.
