Italy debating 30% MTR cut

Italy’s Communications Regulatory Authority (Autorita per le Garanzie nelle Comunicazioni, Agcom) is considering implementing a 30% cut to mobile termination rates (MTRs) in a move which has alarmed local cellcos. CorCom reports that the agency is debating a cut in the rate from the current level of EUR0.0098 (USD0.01149) to around EUR0.0065-EUR0.007. The recent entrance to the market of French-owned low-cost operator Iliad has led to a price war which is already impacting income for operators, while the ongoing 5G spectrum auction, which has so far attracted bids of more than EUR4.1 billion, is also putting financial pressure on cellcos.