By Manuela Mesco
MILAN--Telecom Italia's (TIT.MI) competitors said Tuesday it was
"surprising" that the country's largest operator is making its plan
to spin off its fixed-line copper network dependent on regulatory
changes.
Late Monday, former state-owned operator Telecom Italia said
that before going ahead with the network spinoff, the company
needed to verify the regulatory path due to come into force in
Italy over the next few years.
Its decision followed regulator AGCOM's proposal last week to
cut the rates that alternative telecom operators have to pay
Telecom Italia to access its fixed-line network.
The three main alternative operators in the country--Vodafone
PLC's (VOD.LN) Italian unit, Vimpelcom's (VIP) Wind and Swisscom's
(SCMV.VX) Fastweb--said in a joint statement that AGCOM "simply
operated in line with regulations" when it proposed the rate
cut.
Wind, Vodafone Italy and Fastweb added that they wondered if the
spinoff plan, presented as a measure necessary to revive the market
and competition, "wasn't really just a way to put improper pressure
on the regulator."
Write to Manuela Mesco at manuela.mesco@dowjones.com
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