EC questions Agcom’s proposed fixed termination rates

The European Commission (EC) has called a halt to plans by Italian telecoms regulator Autorita per le Garanzie nelle Comunicazioni (Agcom) relating to the country’s fixed termination rates, saying that the proposed prices ‘would negatively affect consumers in Italy as well as operators in other member states’. Agcom has proposed fixed termination rates ranging from EUR0.00206 (USD 0.00275) per minute to EUR0.00127 per minute for the years 2013 and 2014, but the EC claims that these figures are significantly higher than any other member state where proper price setting methodologies are applied. EC vice president Neelie Kroes commented: ‘Agcom’s proposal raises concerns about compliance with the regulator’s duty to set tariffs reflecting efficient costs for providing termination services. The European Commission is determined to ensure that regulated termination rates are reduced to similar levels in all member states without any unnecessary delay’.