Communications Regulatory Authority

networks, including mobile ones, as well as on checking compliance with service
charters by electronic communications operators.
In connection with the last aspect it should be highlighted that service charters
submitted by operators were examined pursuant to the reference resolutions (General
Directive under Resolution no. 179/03/CSP, and fixed-line service Directive under
Resolution no. 254/04/CSP).
Each time the monitoring action stressed that current rules, though abided by,
were not sufficient, especially in view of an adequate user protection, AGCOM
considered the advisability to take action in order to make express regulatory
amendments. To that end, having established that competition dynamics did not appear
to be effective, by themselves, in bringing about a drop in the level of directory inquiry
service rates, AGCOM thought it necessary to introduce (with Resolution no. 8/06/CIR)
measures aimed at decreasing the maximum rate ceilings set before, so taking down to €
1.20 (exclusive of V.A.T.) the maximum rate per minute and keeping the maximum rate
per answered call equal to € 0.30 (exclusive of V.A.T.). A maximum rate equal to €
1.50 (exclusive of V.A.T.) was also set for flat rates.
The same regulation also introduced the obligation of the user’s explicit
acceptance of the call completion service, to be conveyed by pressing “1” on the
telephone keypad.
Analysis of the terms and conditions of service provision to the public offered by
Telecom Italia through their general price list
Rates included in Telecom Italia’s offers intended for general customers are
submitted to an inspection in accordance with the implementation of the price cap
system.
In 2003 AGCOM enacted Resolution no. 289/03/CONS setting forth the
“Regulation and control of the maximum rates of voice telephony services offered by
Telecom Italia”, which introduced innovations into existing regulations laid down in
Resolution no. 171/99, as subsequently amended by Resolutions no. 847/00/CONS and
no. 469/01/CONS.
The new price control system is applicable until 31 December 2006.
Obligations set out in Resolution no. 289/03/CONS have covered access services,
switched traffic services (local and inter-district calls) and, since 2004, with regard to
fixed-to-mobile calls, the change in Telecom Italia’s revenue per minute (retention),
which adds to the termination rate charged by mobile operators in the shaping of the
price paid by the end user. As to international calls from fixed lines, having regard to
such an extensive and complex offer of intermediate international traffic termination
services which characterizes a challengeable market, AGCOM decided not to impose a
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