WRITTEN QUESTION P-2607/99 by Carlo Fatuzzo (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Telecom Italia S.p.A's Audiotel services.
Date: 1999-12-22
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Italy, competition law, dominant position, monopoly, provision of services, services company, telecommunications industry, telephone

C 225 E/184

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

8.8.2000

for existing beneficiaries be raised to any increased amounts for new beneficiaries. However, such raise
must be duly justified by the circumstances of the Member State concerned. The increase of maximum
amounts eligible for Community support in the new Council Regulation does not as such justify an
increase in payments under existing commitments.

(1) OJ L 160, 26.6.1999.
(2) OJ L 215, 30.7.1992.

(2000/C 225 E/204)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-2607/99

by Carlo Fatuzzo (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(22 December 1999)

Subject: Telecom Italia S.p.A(cid:146)s Audiotel services

Telecom S.p.A has the monopoly in Italy on Audiotel services which provide subscribers with useful
services such as advice by telephone, information on various subjects and counselling.

Does the Commission intend to allow Telecom to abuse its monopoly by paying the bills of the companies
providing these services if and when it pleases, even postponing indefinitely the payment of large sums of
money on the ground of general irregularities?

One wanders who will benefit in cases like this where the service companies adversely affected do not even
have the opportunity to vindicate themselves and are likely to go bankrupt, thus leading to the loss of jobs.

Does the Commission intend to look into the fact that, by letter of 21 October 1999 (Reference
No 0028084-01), Telecom Italia S.p.A. of Via Dalmazzo 15, Turin stopped the payment of the sum
owed since 1 August 1999 to the undertaking Publiline S.r.l. of Via Antiche Fornaci 66, Cremona, Italy?

Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission

(20 January 2000)

Audiotel services (audiotex) were deregulated in Italy by General Decree on Authorisations No 420/95.
However, the provision of restricted access services must be subject to special conditions. The Commission
has stepped in on several occasions to urge the Italian authorities to make such conditions public
promptly, in order to enable audiotel companies to provide their services, and it is continuing to monitor
the situation.

However, a number of companies are currently providing audiotel services via the Telecom Italia network
(numbers starting with 166 and 144). Telecom Italia bills the customers and pays part of the amount
charged to the service provider. Publiline is one such service provider.

According to the Commission(cid:146)s information, Telecom Italia did indeed suspend payment to Publiline of
sums charged to its subscribers in accordance with one of the conditions laid down in the contract
between the two companies. It seems that the telecommunications company brought this case before the
Italian courts.

In principle, the Commission does not intervene in cases pending before national courts. However,
national courts can consult the Commission on points of law relating to the application of competition
rules
the Commission notice of
13 February 1993 on cooperation between national courts and the Commission in applying competition
rules (1).

in cases brought before them, as

stated in paragraph 38 of

(1) OJ C 39, 13.2.1993.