Brussels, 19/07/2007 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission is continuing its infringement procedure against Italy, which has still to alter its broadcasting legislation to bring it into line with the European regulatory framework on electronic communications. It has therefore sent a reasoned opinion (second warning) which gives Italy two months to comply, failing which the matter will be referred to the Court of Justice. On 19 July 2006, following a complaint from the Italian consumers' association, Altroconsumo, the Commission sent Italy a letter of formal notice (first warning), seeking information about the Italian legislation regulating the switchover from analogue to digital terrestrial broadcasting technology. This was to check if there were barriers to entry for newcomers on the market for digital TV broadcasting transmission services, thus strengthening the position held by existing broadcasting operators. The Commission concluded that the current Italian legislation might preclude new operators from creating their own digital networks. Furthermore, the law would allow existing broadcasters to acquire more frequencies for digital experimentation than they need to simulcast their programmes in analogue and digital and maintain control over the frequencies and networks for analogue transmissions even after the switch-off. The Italian authorities had promised to correct these deficiencies and drafted a Bill, which is currently going through parliament but has still not been adopted. Italy not having informed it of any concrete measures, the Commission felt it had to continue the procedure. (il)