Communications Regulatory Authority

handset use restrictions when the SIMlock is activated, the value of the applied subsidy,
the cost of the de-SIMlocked handset, the SIMlock activation term, and the methods to
remove the SIMlock once the term is over. With regard to taking-out methods, a
separate and special information fact sheet shall be used subject to explicit acceptance
by the customer.
As regards applicability limits, AGCOM prescribed that SIMlocked handsets
shall be de-SIMlocked after 9 months, upon the user’s request, upon payment of an
amount not exceeding 50% of the value of the subsidy granted by the operator at the
time of the purchase, and, in any case, free of charge at the end of an 18-month period.
With regard to the handset full operating capability guarantee at the end of the
SIMlock term, the communications service provider offering handsets shall guarantee
that the latter, once deactivated, can work with all mobile networks with no limitations
in terms of effectiveness and services.
Supervisory action as regards compliance with the current regulation on
mobile number portability
Mobile number portability (MNP) among mobile and personal communications
service network operators enables users who decide to switch to another operator for the
provision of mobile, voice and data services to keep their telephone number.
Since early 2005 an increase has been reported in applications for mobile number
portability. To that end, AGCOM has encouraged operators to enter into an agreement
under which, since 31 August 2005, each operator has increased the maximum number
of applications that can be processed on each working day, so causing an increase from
5,000 (as from 26 April 2004) to 5,700 (as from 31 August 2005), and later to 7,500 (as
from 17 October 2005) in the number of portability transactions carried out.
AGCOM’s monitoring action later highlighted a significant delay in the
processing of portability applications, in particular by Telecom Italia and Vodafone
towards H3G, as for the relevant applications the processing capability provided by
these operators proved insufficient. This brought about a protraction in the service
provision time. As a consequence, by means of Resolution no. 17/06/CIR, AGCOM
decided to further increase the processing capability by setting it to 9,000 daily
transactions. This Resolution also provided for the undertaking of initiatives aimed at
making additional processing capabilities available in order to process portability
applications left outstanding by Telecom Italian and Vodafone towards H3G.
AGCOM also took action by requiring the adoption of precise processing
methods, in order to assure that the correct order be kept in handling applications.
By April 2006 more than 8 million users had switched to another operator while
keeping their telephone number. Approximately 45% of migrations have occurred over
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