Communications Regulatory Authority

The same supervisory action was carried out with respect to the methods used to
provide services of the same kind, which were already being offered on other numbers
at an extra charge ( “892XXX” numbers), and could still be provided also after the
coming into force of “12XY” numbers.
Since 1 October 2005, with the entry into force of “12XY” numbers for the provision
of the directory inquiry service, AGCOM has monitored their correct use both as
regards information provided to users and as regards the fairness of rates charged, in
connection with the ceiling set for rates per answered call and per minute pursuant to
Resolution no. 15/04/CIR.
As to information to users it should be highlighted that, in confirming
regulations already included in the Numbering Plan (Resolution no. 9/03/CIR) for all
extra-charge numbers – a category under which the number in question falls – the
above-mentioned resolution provides for the following requirement, under article 3,
paragraph 2, letter h, among the conditions imposed on the use of such numbers: “to
make the caller aware, free of charge, of the cost of calling the 12xy number and of the
cost of the call completion service possibly requested by the user”. Therefore, rather
than allowing any cost information methods based on a simple reference to a toll-free
number (“800XXXXXX” numbers), AGCOM allowed that - upon full information
about rates - an announcement be conveyed informing only of the maximum rate for
calls from fixed lines and from mobile networks.
As from 1 December 2005 AGCOM set the deadline for the discontinuance of
the directory inquiry service offered by access operators on the so-called “network
internal set of numbers beginning with 4XX” (operators had mostly used the “412”
which reminded users of the traditional number “12” on which the service had
previously been provided). In order to assure that users be supplied with such adequate
information as not to offer unfair competitive advantages to access operators, AGCOM
promptly took action (Resolution no. 83/05/CIR) for the purpose of laying down
detailed methods to discontinue “412” numbers, and prescribed that operators convey
announcements with adequate characteristics for at least six months on the same
number.
Resolution no. 83/05/CIR required that operators disclose service rates, which
are then published on AGCOM’s web site so to enable users to compare different offers
easily.
On the whole, the supervisory action aimed at protecting users and market
competitive conditions covered several aspects related to the compliance with the
conditions on which the number allocation is based.
In particular, AGCOM’s monitoring action was focused both on the need to
assure adequate free-of-charge information to users with regard to service rates, and on
the need to provide a nationwide service that could be reached by all communications
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