Political problems are threatening plans to raise E2.4bn from the country’s upcoming spectrum auction, according to reports.
The Ministry of Defence is reportedly unwilling to relinquish some of its 2.6 GHz frequencies – which would be part of the…
Political problems are threatening plans to raise E2.4bn from the country’s upcoming spectrum auction, according to reports.
The Ministry of Defence is reportedly unwilling to relinquish some of its 2.6 GHz frequencies – which would be part of the spectrum auctioned – without a significant fee.
This is also causing delays to plans for the country’s WiMAX auction, reports add.
However, Vincenzo Lobianco, director of communication network services at regulator Agcom, dismissed suggestions of any tensions with the government.
Speaking to TelecomFinance, Lobianco said that, by law, the auction rules must be finalised by 30 September, which should lead to an auction around next May for 4G commercial services to be available sometime in 2014.
Meanwhile, AgCom is awaiting responses to two net neutrality consultations. The first focuses on VoIP and P2P services, and the second covers broader net neutrality issues including consumer guarantees and competition.
The regulator has drawn up draft rules, which have been submitted for public consultation.
Some 300 MHz of new spectrum will also be freed up as part of the digital dividend, and will become available to existing mobile operators Telecom Italia, Vodafone Italia, Wind and 3 Italia as well as to new entrants.
Sicilian ISP Siportal has launched fixed-line voice telephony services in Italy after acquiring an operator licence last year.
The company, which has a wholesale agreement with telco BT Italy, plans to differentiate itself by offering consumers free line activation and transparent billing.
