Brussels, 21/08/2013 (Agence Europe) - On 12 August, the European Commission invoked the EU review mechanism regarding plans by the Italian telecoms regulator (AGCOM) to change current wholesale broadband prices, as such changes would negatively affect operators' ability to plan and decide on their prices in Italy.
The Commission is concerned that AGCOM's recent decision to set 2013 prices based on its previous market review contradicts the announcement, made by AGCOM itself in October 2012, that new prices will result from the new market analysis. As access prices should reflect most recent available cost information, the Commission believes that AGCOM should have set the prices on the basis of its more recent and reliable full market analysis. Over the next three months, the Commission, in close cooperation with BEREC, will discuss with AGCOM how to amend its proposal. In a press release, the Commission says it is “determined to ensure regulatory approaches that are transparent and able to provide predictability and stable planning conditions for market players”. It says that “if operators cannot plan ahead on the prices they will offer their customers, they could see their business seriously hampered”. (OL/transl.fl)