Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07ROME191
2007-01-29 07:40:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Rome
Cable title:
ITALY: SECTION 1377 TELECOM TRADE AGREEMENTS
how-toVZCZCXRO0946 OO RUEHFL RUEHNP DE RUEHRO #0191 0290740 ZNR UUUUU ZZH O 290740Z JAN 07 FM AMEMBASSY ROME TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 7054 RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHDC IMMEDIATE INFO RUEHFL/AMCONSUL FLORENCE PRIORITY 2112 RUEHMIL/AMCONSUL MILAN PRIORITY 8285 RUEHNP/AMCONSUL NAPLES PRIORITY 2247
UNCLAS ROME 000191
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EB/CIP/BA
USTR FOR CATHERINE HINCKLEY
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECPS ECON ETRD USTRIT IT
SUBJECT: ITALY: SECTION 1377 TELECOM TRADE AGREEMENTS
REVIEW RESPONSES
REF: 06 SECSTATE 202978
UNCLAS ROME 000191
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EB/CIP/BA
USTR FOR CATHERINE HINCKLEY
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECPS ECON ETRD USTRIT IT
SUBJECT: ITALY: SECTION 1377 TELECOM TRADE AGREEMENTS
REVIEW RESPONSES
REF: 06 SECSTATE 202978
1. Econoffs spoke with representatives of Italy's
Communications Regulatory Authority (AGCOM) and Telecom
Italia about reftel's Italy-specific concerns and questions
January 12 and 17.
2. Answers to reftel questions follow:
Q: DOES THE REGULATOR CONDUCT A PERIODIC REVIEW WHERE THE
INCUMBENT MUST MODIFY ITS REFERENCE INTERCONNECTION OFFER TO
ENSURE THAT RATES TAKE INTO ACCOUNT RECENT AUDITED REGULATORY
ACCOUNTS? IF SO, HOW DOES THE REGULATOR ACCOMPLISH THAT
REVIEW?
ANSWER: The rates for telecom interconnection services in
Italy are set annually by applying a network cap rule. Every
year, Italian telecom operators submit regulatory accounting
to the Communications Regulation Authority, AGCOM. An
independent advisor conducts an additional audit of rates
every three years, along with a separate review of the
network cap.
In addition to government regulators, telecom operators and
customer associations can review, and comment on, the audit's
findings. Italy's antitrust authority and the European
Commission also review and provide input.
Q: DOES THE REGULATOR KNOW WHETHER WHOLESALE (CARRIER) RATES
CHARGED FOR LEASED LINES USED BY CARRIERS (E.G., TWO MEGABIT
LINK BETWEEN A CARRIER'S NETWORK AND ITS CUSTOMERS) ARE
REGULATED?
ANSWER: Yes, wholesale (carrier) rates charged for leased
lines used by carriers are regulated.
Q: IF SO, HOW ARE THE RATES SET? DOES THE REGULATOR BENCHMARK
THEM AGAINST OTHER COMPARABLE MARKETS?
ANSWER: Termination rates are "cost-oriented." Telecom
Italia sets prices in accordance with EU and national
regulations to guarantee the sustainability of correspondent
retail prices.
Q: HAS THE REGULATOR HEARD ALLEGATIONS THAT THE INCUMBENT
(TELECOM ITALIA) IS PROVIDING HIGHER QUALITY SERVICE
GUARANTEES AND/OR LOWER PRICES TO ITS END-USER CUSTOMERS THAN
TO REQUESTING COMPETITORS? ARE THERE ANY REPORTING
REQUIREMENTS TO MONITOR THIS?
ANSWER: Telecom Italia (the incumbent) is required to report
to AGCOM every six months, the activation and technical
support times provided to its customers and competitors. In
this way, AGCOM regularly compares and checks for Telecom
Italia compliance. AGCOM also sets key performance
indicators that Telecom Italia must meet -- for example, the
time Telecom Italia provides service to its competitors must
equal the time it spends on its own services.
SPOGLI
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EB/CIP/BA
USTR FOR CATHERINE HINCKLEY
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECPS ECON ETRD USTRIT IT
SUBJECT: ITALY: SECTION 1377 TELECOM TRADE AGREEMENTS
REVIEW RESPONSES
REF: 06 SECSTATE 202978
1. Econoffs spoke with representatives of Italy's
Communications Regulatory Authority (AGCOM) and Telecom
Italia about reftel's Italy-specific concerns and questions
January 12 and 17.
2. Answers to reftel questions follow:
Q: DOES THE REGULATOR CONDUCT A PERIODIC REVIEW WHERE THE
INCUMBENT MUST MODIFY ITS REFERENCE INTERCONNECTION OFFER TO
ENSURE THAT RATES TAKE INTO ACCOUNT RECENT AUDITED REGULATORY
ACCOUNTS? IF SO, HOW DOES THE REGULATOR ACCOMPLISH THAT
REVIEW?
ANSWER: The rates for telecom interconnection services in
Italy are set annually by applying a network cap rule. Every
year, Italian telecom operators submit regulatory accounting
to the Communications Regulation Authority, AGCOM. An
independent advisor conducts an additional audit of rates
every three years, along with a separate review of the
network cap.
In addition to government regulators, telecom operators and
customer associations can review, and comment on, the audit's
findings. Italy's antitrust authority and the European
Commission also review and provide input.
Q: DOES THE REGULATOR KNOW WHETHER WHOLESALE (CARRIER) RATES
CHARGED FOR LEASED LINES USED BY CARRIERS (E.G., TWO MEGABIT
LINK BETWEEN A CARRIER'S NETWORK AND ITS CUSTOMERS) ARE
REGULATED?
ANSWER: Yes, wholesale (carrier) rates charged for leased
lines used by carriers are regulated.
Q: IF SO, HOW ARE THE RATES SET? DOES THE REGULATOR BENCHMARK
THEM AGAINST OTHER COMPARABLE MARKETS?
ANSWER: Termination rates are "cost-oriented." Telecom
Italia sets prices in accordance with EU and national
regulations to guarantee the sustainability of correspondent
retail prices.
Q: HAS THE REGULATOR HEARD ALLEGATIONS THAT THE INCUMBENT
(TELECOM ITALIA) IS PROVIDING HIGHER QUALITY SERVICE
GUARANTEES AND/OR LOWER PRICES TO ITS END-USER CUSTOMERS THAN
TO REQUESTING COMPETITORS? ARE THERE ANY REPORTING
REQUIREMENTS TO MONITOR THIS?
ANSWER: Telecom Italia (the incumbent) is required to report
to AGCOM every six months, the activation and technical
support times provided to its customers and competitors. In
this way, AGCOM regularly compares and checks for Telecom
Italia compliance. AGCOM also sets key performance
indicators that Telecom Italia must meet -- for example, the
time Telecom Italia provides service to its competitors must
equal the time it spends on its own services.
SPOGLI