After over a year of negotiations, regulator Agcom has given its approval to Telecom Italia’s (TI’s) proposals to open up its fixed line network to competitors despite the European Commission’s (EC’s) request to the regulator to discuss the package with the EC before giving its assent.
Agcom endorsed the plans after TI made additional pledges over its future next-generation network (NGN), and in particular the creation of a NGN committee made up of both TI and alternative operators’ representatives to manage the switch to a broadband network. TI also promised to issue guarantees to treat competitors fairly; give equal access to information regarding the quality and the development of the access network; and to setup an independent body to ensure these commitments are met. The new rules will be effective from 1 January 2009, giving the EC until the end of the year to issue its suggestions for the implementation of the new measures.